An unmissable part of a visit to Chennai’s beaches is the food. Food is central to the city’s identity, but what you eat by the sea has a character of its own: the maanga pattani sundal, hot bajjis, fish fry, smoky roasted corn, and cloud-like cotton candy
When should you consult a doctor after vaccination? Physician Dr Amit Prakash Singh shares concerning symptoms Updated on: Aug 25, 2026, 14:29:39 IST By Debapriya Bhattacharya Prefer HT on Google Share via Copy link The side effects of vaccination usually resolve
Step inside Akanksha Chamola's cosy and charming family home in Mumbai where she lives with her mom and dad Published on: Aug 25, 2026, 14:36:54 IST By Krishna Pallavi Priya Prefer HT on Google Share via Copy link A look inside Akanksha Chamola's home
Songs that are largely or wholly created by AI have been banned from Australia's music charts. From this week, all releases must be "substantially human made" to be eligible. The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) said the new code would help "promote the human nature of artistry"
There was a time when a stainless-steel tiffin carrier packed with home-cooked food was an essential part of everyday life in Chennai. Today, that familiar sight is slowly disappearing, replaced by neighbourhood eateries, restaurants, cafés, food-delivery apps and subscription kitchens
H1N1 Cases Surge In Delhi-NCR
H1N1 Cases Surge In Delhi-NCR: From Fever, Cough To Breathlessness, 5 Warning Signs Swine Flu May Be Turning Severe
Got Question about the News?
The rise in H1N1 cases across Delhi-NCR is prompting fresh concern among doctors as some patients develop severe breathing difficulties and falling oxygen levels. While swine flu often causes flu-like symptoms, it can sometimes progress to serious respiratory complications, particularly in high-risk individuals.
Delhi has recorded 1,449 H1N1 cases till August 12, 2026 — more than six times the 229 cases reported in the same period last year, according to NCDC data. Hospitals including RML and Safdarjung have stepped up preparedness as monsoon humidity fuels the surge in respiratory infections across the region.
For many people, H1N1 may begin like another seasonal viral infection, with fever, cough, body aches and fatigue. The concern comes when symptoms intensify or new respiratory problems appear. So, what should you watch for as cases rise across Delhi-NCR?
Mild tiredness with fever is common. But new or rapidly increasing difficulty in breathing, especially while sitting or lying down, signals the lungs may be under stress. Doctors say continuous cough paired with worsening breathlessness needs prompt medical review.
H1N1 primarily affects the respiratory system and, in severe cases, can lead to complications such as viral pneumonia. People with existing lung conditions may also experience worsening respiratory symptoms during influenza infection.
A falling reading on a pulse oximeter can indicate the lungs are no longer transferring enough oxygen into the blood. Levels below 90% along with respiratory distress often require oxygen therapy. Check readings carefully, as cold fingers or poor positioning can give false numbers, but never ignore a persistently low value.
People with chronic lung or heart conditions may have less physiological reserve, meaning a severe respiratory infection can affect them more significantly.
Chest discomfort or tightness that appears or intensifies with the flu can point to more serious lung involvement. Combined with breathlessness, it is a clear signal to seek urgent care rather than waiting at home.
These symptoms can indicate that an infection is affecting the body more seriously and should not be dismissed as part of a routine flu.
Blue or bluish lips or face are another emergency warning sign, according to health guidance cited by NDTV.
Very rapid or laboured breathing, or struggling to speak or walk because of shortness of breath, are classic markers of severe influenza. Bluish or pale lips, extreme drowsiness or sudden confusion further indicate the body is not getting enough oxygen.
Influenza can progress quickly sometimes within 24 hours from uncomplicated illness to pneumonia or respiratory failure. High-risk groups (elderly, young children, pregnant women, people with asthma, diabetes, heart or lung disease, or weakened immunity) need especially close monitoring.
While fever alone does not necessarily mean the infection is becoming severe, persistent or worsening fever deserves medical attention, particularly when other symptoms are developing.
A person who initially appears to be recovering but then develops worsening fever or respiratory symptoms should not simply wait it out.
Do not self-diagnose based on symptoms alone. H1N1 can overlap with other respiratory infections, and testing or treatment decisions should be made by a healthcare professional. Antibiotics do not treat influenza because it is caused by a virus.
Antiviral medicines may be considered by doctors, particularly for high-risk patients or those with moderate to severe illness.
Doctors stress that not every H1N1 patient develops breathing complications. Most recover with rest, fluids and timely antiviral treatment if indicated. Antibiotics do not treat the virus itself and should be used only if a secondary bacterial infection is confirmed. Avoid self-administering oxygen without medical advice.
Doctors are particularly cautious with young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with diabetes, heart disease, asthma or chronic lung conditions because they face a higher risk of complications. Simple precautions include:
High-risk individuals should discuss influenza vaccination and early medical consultation with their doctor. With H1N1 activity rising in Delhi, respiratory hygiene, staying home when unwell, covering coughs and sneezes, regular handwashing and appropriate influenza vaccination can help reduce the risk of infection and transmission.
High-risk groups can protect themselves from swine flu by getting an annual flu vaccination, which can reduce the risk of severe illness, complications, and hospitalisation. It is also important to seek medical advice early if flu-like symptoms develop. Additionally, people can reduce the spread of influenza by regularly washing their hands, covering their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, avoiding close contact with others when sick, and staying home when unwell.
Source: News18
Related Posts: H1N1 Delhi-NCR, Swine flu, Respiratory complications, Oxygen levels, Flu symptoms, Delhi H1N1 cases, NCDC data, Antiviral medicines, H1N1 cases Delhi NCR, H1N1 surge Delhi 2026
The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) has suspended, until further orders, the food licences of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket after an inquiry found poisonous Datura fruits and seeds being listed and sold online as food
7 hours ago
The monsoon brings cooler weather and relief from the summer heat, but it can also be a season when seasonal infections become more common. While no single food can “boost" immunity overnight, a nourishing, balanced diet can support the body’s normal immune function
10 hours ago
Sugary breakfasts can be ‘the worst possible thing’ for your metabolism: Dr Mark Hyman shares why you should add protein Published on: Aug 25, 2026, 10:38:30 IST By Eshana Saha Prefer HT on Google Share via Copy link Eating sugary meals for breakfast may be
10 hours ago
For years, heart attacks were considered a disease of old age. Today, that perception is rapidly changing. Across India, an increasing number of young professionals, fitness enthusiasts and seemingly healthy adults are experiencing cardiac events in their 30s and sometimes even earlier
10 hours ago
What happens when you quit therapy midway? Psychologist warns of anxiety relapse Published on: Aug 25, 2026, 10:42:15 IST By Adrija Dey Prefer HT on Google Share via Copy link Can stopping therapy midway cause anxiety to return? Know from an expert how you can
10 hours ago
The monsoon season brings cooler weather along with cold, cough and the flu. When you are craving something warm and comforting, but also want to pay extra attention to your health and immunity, this recipe should become a go-to. This besan sheera doodh is a simple
10 hours ago
The monsoon may bring cooler mornings and relief from the heat, but for some people, the season can also mean an uncomfortable mouth, from bleeding gums and plaque buildup to persistent bad breath. Rain itself does not cause gum disease. However, changes that often accompany the rainy season
10 hours ago
Kit Harington has been tapped to join the highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series as the wizarding world's celebrity-turned-Hogwarts instructor Gilderoy Lockhart, HBO confirmed to the BBC. Harington is replacing actor Nicholas Hoult who could not film season two of the series due to a scheduling
13 hours ago
I’ve spent more than three decades studying how exercise and diet keep us healthy. But one thing keeps showing up in the data: living longer and living well are not in sync. While we’ve partly solved the first one, we are lagging behind at the second
13 hours ago
In the 11th-Century masterpiece's tale of a contested throne, about to be exhibited in the UK, virility is equated to power – and the largest and proudest appendage. It tells a story that feels familiar today.In the 11th-Century masterpiece's tale of a contested throne
13 hours ago
Sitting for long hours at the desk? Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Pushkar Chawla shares how to protect the back and spine Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 13:58:18 IST By Debapriya Bhattacharya Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Poor posture at work can lead to problems with the back and the spine
1 days ago
A patient once told me that her blood sugar reading in the morning was higher than the one she had taken after dinner the night before. She hadn’t eaten a single thing. “How is this even possible?" she asked. “I haven’t had breakfast yet." That question comes up in my clinic almost every
1 days ago
Step inside the regal Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad, where a one-night stay will cost you ₹4 lakh: Watch Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 14:06:37 IST By Krishna Pallavi Priya Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link A look inside the Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad
1 days ago
Every year at about this point in the rains, the same sequence plays out. Outpatient departments fill with feverish patients, a city announces a jump in confirmed cases, television rediscovers the phrase “swine flu," and within a fortnight the anxiety has moved on to something else
1 days ago
Onam gifting is often about more than simply handing over a box of sweets. The festival brings families and friends together, and a well-chosen hamper can combine traditional flavours with attractive packaging to make the occasion more special
1 days ago
‘Walking is one of the most underrated things’: Geriatric doctor says you don't need to join a gym to start exercising Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 10:52:55 IST By Eshana Saha Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Read more to find out why walking is an underrated form of exercise! (Unsplash)
1 days ago
There are few things as satisfying as biting into a buttery, flaky almond croissant, especially when you get that rich almond flavour, creamy frangipane filling and slightly crisp, toasted edges in every bite. But when a croissant craving hits and you don’t have a bakery run planned—or all the
1 days ago
Erling Haaland debuts new buzz haircut after chopping his iconic blonde locks: ‘+999 missed calls from shampoo company’ Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 08:58:32 IST By Krishna Pallavi Priya Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Erling Haaland debuts a fresh, new buzz cut
1 days ago
Parents should check medicine labels carefully before giving cough or cold remedies to young children. The Union Health Ministry has restricted all fixed-dose combination medicines containing chlorpheniramine maleate and phenylephrine hydrochloride from being used in children below four years of
1 days ago
Tandoori chicken should be smoky and seared on the outside, yet juicy and tender on the inside. But it can often turn out dry, rubbery and lacking flavour, even when you’ve used all the right spices. The problem may not be the recipe itself, but a few small mistakes during preparation and cooking
2 days ago
Want to know how healthy your heart is? Cardiologist Dr Sanjay Bhojraj lists 9 blood tests for ‘cardiovascular risk’ Published on: Aug 23, 2026, 14:34:50 IST By Akanksha Agnihotri Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Dr. Bhojraj highlights nine blood tests to assess cardiovascular health
2 days ago
We tend to think of constipation as a plumbing problem: eat more fibre, drink more water, take isabgol and wait for things to move. For occasional constipation, that approach can be perfectly reasonable. But when constipation keeps returning despite these measures
2 days ago
Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women, but its biggest known cause is persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), which is closely linked to sexual transmission. While HPV itself is not caused by men
2 days ago
Chakra Horoscope Today, August 23, 2026: An obstacle does not necessarily mean you are on the wrong path Updated on: Aug 23, 2026, 14:49:03 IST By Kishori Sud Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Chakra Horoscope Today, August 23, 2026 (Pinterest) Daily Chakra Horoscope, August 23
2 days ago
Dahi vade may not be the first dish that comes to mind when planning a Sawan Somwar vrat menu, but Chef Sanjeev Kapoor’s fasting-friendly version gives the classic snack a clever twist. Instead of lentils, these vade are made with cooked barnyard millet, also known as sama or samak
2 days ago
59-year-old grandmother and Roadies 20 contestant Ashu Jain shares 5 hacks that helped her 'build gym habits that stick’ Published on: Aug 23, 2026, 10:12:34 IST By Sanya Panwar Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Ashu Jain is not just a grandmother — she's a 'hybrid athlete'
2 days ago
Raksha Bandhan is all about celebrating the special bond between siblings. This year, show your siblings how much you mean to them and make the occasion sweeter by making everyone’s favourite kalakand at home. If you are looking for a festive dessert that is indulgent yet skips refined sugar
2 days ago
