Overview

• An online LocalCircles poll logged over 11,000 responses across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad.
• Reported household illness rose from 54% in March to 69% in September, signaling a sharp seasonal jump.
• Doctors say influenza A (H3N2) is the prevailing strain, with some recoveries stretching to about 10 days.
• Hospitals report more pneumonia, bronchitis and respiratory distress, especially in children, older adults and people with comorbidities.
• Officials say hospitals are prepared, while clinicians urge hand hygiene, masking, vaccination where appropriate, early medical review after three days of persistent symptoms and restraint on antibiotics, and civic groups call for probes into post-monsoon factors.