The Karnataka Health Department has issued influenza preparedness guidelines to all district health authorities, including Bangalore and the surrounding areas. The goal? To tackle an expected rise in seasonal flu cases between January and March 2026.
This advisory follows guidance from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and is designed to strengthen the health system’s readiness before the flu wave hits.
If you live in Bangalore or anywhere in Karnataka, here’s everything you need to know, from what influenza is to how it spreads, to how you can protect yourself and your family.
Why Is the Health Department Acting Now?
Seasonal influenza disease typically spikes during the winter months. Every year, health departments across India prepare in advance to reduce the burden on hospitals and protect vulnerable communities.
The Karnataka government, anticipating a possible surge in early 2026, has provided districts with a structured plan to monitor, prevent and manage flu disease cases effectively. This isn’t panic! It’s preparation.
What Is Influenza? (And Why Should You Care?)
Influenza is a viral disease caused by the influenza virus, a highly contagious respiratory infection that affects the nose, throat and lungs.
It’s not the same as a common cold. The cold and flu may seem similar, but influenza hits harder and faster. It can knock you out for a week and in severe cases, it can be life-threatening, especially for young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.
The human influenza virus spreads easily from person to person through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or comes into physical contact.
Types of Influenza Virus – Not All Flu Is the Same
There are different types of influenza viruses. Understanding them helps you know what you’re dealing with.
Influenza Type A
Influenza type A is the most common and most dangerous type. It’s responsible for most seasonal flu outbreaks and all known influenza pandemics.
Influenza A symptoms include:
- High fever (often sudden onset)
- Severe body aches
- Chills and sweating
- Dry, persistent cough
- Sore throat
- Extreme fatigue
- Headache
Type A viruses are classified by their surface proteins – H (hemagglutinin) and N (neuraminidase). You’ve probably heard names like:
- Influenza H1N1 (also called H1N1) – This strain caused the 2009 pandemic and continues to circulate seasonally.
- H3N2 influenza (also called H3N2 flu or A H3N2) – A common seasonal strain that can cause severe illness, especially in older adults.
H1N1 symptoms and H3N2 symptoms are similar to general flu symptoms but can sometimes be more severe.
Read also: Flu Alert in Bangalore: H1N1, H3N2, and RSV on the Rise – Here’s How to Stay Safe
Influenza Type B
Influenza B is less common than Type A but still causes seasonal outbreaks. It generally causes milder illness, but severe cases do occur. Influenza B treatment is similar to Type A – rest, fluids, antivirals if needed, and symptom management.
Parainfluenza Virus
The para influenza virus is a different virus altogether. It causes respiratory infections (especially croup in children) but is NOT the same as influenza. Don’t confuse the two.
Bird Flu (Avian Influenza) – What You Need to Know
You’ve probably heard about bird flu in the news. Let’s clear up what it is. Avian influenza (also called bird flu or avian flu) is caused by the avian influenza virus – a type of influenza A virus that primarily infects birds. The most well-known strain is H5N1 bird flu, sometimes referred to as Asian bird flu.
Can Bird Flu Infect Humans?
“Yes, but it’s rare.”
Bird flu, Avian influenza, can spread to humans who have close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments (like poultry farms or live bird markets). Bird flu symptoms and avian flu symptoms in humans include:
- High fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Muscle aches
- Difficulty breathing
- In severe cases, pneumonia and respiratory failure
Symptoms of bird flu in humans can range from mild to severe. In some cases, it can be fatal if it includes:
- Sudden death without symptoms
- Lack of energy and appetite
- Decreased egg production
- Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, and wattles
- Purple discoloration of wattles, comb, and legs
- Nasal discharge
- Coughing, sneezing
If you work with poultry or live near farms, be aware of these signs. Report any unusual bird deaths to local authorities. Avian influenza treatments and bird flu treatment in humans involve antiviral medications and supportive care. There’s no widely available vaccine for bird flu for the general public yet.
Swine Flu
Swine influenza (swine flu) is caused by influenza viruses that originally circulated in pigs. The H1N1 strain that caused the 2009 pandemic was a swine flu virus that adapted to spread among humans. Swine flu symptoms and swine influenza symptoms are similar to regular seasonal flu:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Body aches
- Fatigue
- Sometimes vomiting and diarrhea
Swine flu causes: The virus spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets, just like regular flu. You cannot get swine flu from eating properly cooked pork.
Also read: How to Beat the Flu Season: Prevention and Treatments from a Clinikk
Flu Symptoms – How to Recognize Influenza
Knowing the flu symptoms helps you act fast.
Common Flu Signs and Symptoms
Flu virus symptoms and influenza virus symptoms typically include:
- Fever (usually high, 100°F–104°F) – Influenza fever symptoms are often the first sign
- Chills and sweating
- Headache
- Dry, persistent cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle and body aches
- Extreme fatigue
- Sometimes vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children)
Flu-Like Symptoms vs. Actual Flu
Sometimes you might have flu-like symptoms but not actually have influenza. Other viruses (like RSV, adenovirus, or even COVID-19) can cause similar symptoms.
The term influenza-like illness (ILI) is used by doctors to describe cases where someone has influenza-like illness symptoms, fever plus cough or sore throat, but hasn’t been lab-confirmed for flu.
Signs of Influenza That Need Immediate Attention
Seek medical care immediately if you notice:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Chest pain or pressure
- Confusion or altered mental state
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Flu symptoms that improve, then return with fever and worse cough
- Bluish lips or face
These could be signs of influenza complications like pneumonia.
Also read: Stomach Flu Outbreak in Bengaluru: A Safety Guide by Clinikk Health Hub
What are the Causes of Influenza? How Does It Spread?
Influenza is caused by the influenza virus, specifically, RNA viruses belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family. So, influenza caused by which virus? The answer: Influenza A, B, or C (with A and B being the most clinically significant).
How Influenza Spreads
The flu spreads mainly through:
- Respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks
- Touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes
- Close contact with infected individuals
One infected person can spread the virus to others up to 6 feet away. You can be contagious even before you show symptoms.
Flu Diagnosis – How Is Influenza Detected?
Flu diagnosis is usually based on symptoms, especially during flu season. However, lab tests can confirm the diagnosis. Common tests include:
- Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) – Results in 15-30 minutes
- RT-PCR tests – More accurate, used in hospitals and labs
- Viral culture – Takes longer but helps identify specific strains
Influenza Vaccine – Your Best Protection
Prevention is always better than a cure. And the influenza vaccine is the most effective way to protect yourself.
Types of Flu Vaccines
- Flu shot vaccine – The most common form, given as an injection
- Inactivated influenza vaccine – Contains killed virus; cannot cause flu
- Quadrivalent flu vaccine – Protects against 4 flu strains (2 Type A + 2 Type B)
- Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) – Nasal spray form (limited availability)
The influenza virus vaccine is updated every year to match the circulating strains.
Who Should Get the Flu Vaccine?
The flu vaccine for adults and children is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. But it’s especially important for:
- Healthcare workers
- Infants and young children
- Adults 65 years and older
- Pregnant women – The Influenza vaccine in pregnancy is safe and protects both mother and baby
- People with chronic conditions (diabetes, heart disease, asthma, etc.)
- Immunocompromised individuals
Key Points from Karnataka’s Influenza Preparedness Guidelines
The health department has issued detailed guidelines to hospitals and district health officials. Here’s a quick summary:
- Enhanced Surveillance: Close monitoring of ILI (Influenza-Like Illness) and SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Infection) cases. At least 5 ILI cases and 100 SARI cases to be tested daily across districts.
- Adequate Testing & Supplies All laboratories must ensure availability of testing kits. Districts must stock essential supplies including PPE kits, N95 masks, Oseltamivir tablets, and influenza vaccines.
- Clinical & Critical Care Readiness Hospitals must ensure ventilators are functional and ready. Clinical management protocols must be in place for severe cases.
- Priority Vaccination Healthcare workers, pregnant women, and high-risk patients (elderly, those with comorbidities) are advised to receive flu vaccinations.
- Community Awareness Health officials have been directed to conduct awareness drives and real-time monitoring of the flu situation.
Who’s Most at Risk? Children, senior citizens, pregnant women, and patients with existing health conditions are more vulnerable to severe infection.
Key Symptoms to Watch For: Fever, cough, red rashes, loss of appetite, body aches, cold, and dry cough. Seasonal flu typically lasts about a week but can persist for up to three weeks in some cases.
For the full advisory – https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/seasonal-influenza-2/
What This Means for Bangalore Residents
If you’re in Bangalore:
Stay informed.
Clinics like Clinikk Health Hub are monitoring flu trends closely.
Get vaccinated. If you or your loved ones are in high-risk groups, get your flu vaccine early. The influenza vaccine for adults and children is widely available.
Recognize symptoms. Seasonal flu signs and symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue. Most people recover in about a week, but vulnerable individuals can develop complications. Practice prevention. Simple steps make a big difference:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
- Cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
- Avoid close contact with sick people
- Stay home if you’re unwell
- Disinfect commonly touched surfaces
Clinikk Health Hub’s Role
At Clinikk Health Hub, we are committed to:
Sharing accurate and timely health updates
Offering flu-related clinical support and vaccination services
Helping you and your family prepare for flu season with trusted medical guidance
Providing affordable influenza vaccine options
Whether you need a flu diagnosis, treatment for flu virus symptoms, or just want to get your annual flu shot vaccine, we’re here for you.
Flu season is approaching. But you don’t have to face it unprepared.
The Karnataka Health Department’s guidelines are a proactive step to protect the community. And you can do your part too.
Get vaccinated. Recognize symptoms early. Practice good hygiene. Seek medical care when needed.
At Clinikk Health Hub, we’re ready to support you through flu season – with vaccinations, consultations, and trusted health advice.
Stay informed. Stay protected. Stay healthy.
