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Dr. Manish Mannan, Head of Pediatrics and Neonatology at Paras Health, Gurugram
Delhi NCR, 18th December 2025: Paras Health, Gurugram, is urging citizens, particularly parents and schools, to stay vigilant as hospitals across the region report a significant rise in flu and fever cases among children aged 2 to 12 years. Paediatric units are witnessing a sustained increase in young patients presenting with high-grade fever, persistent cough, sore throat, vomiting, and other viral respiratory symptoms. This surge has been observed across schools, residential communities, and daycare facilities, indicating widespread seasonal transmission.
While recent, publicly available data for the winter season is limited, a September 2025 survey found that 69% of households in Delhi-NCR reported at least one member experiencing viral or flu-like symptoms. Although this data reflects all age groups and was recorded post-monsoon rather than in winter, it underscores persistent viral circulation in the community. Combined with seasonal environmental factors such as cold temperatures, poor air quality, and indoor crowding, this situation highlights the need for precautionary measures.
The current surge is being driven by a combination of environmental and lifestyle factors. Sudden winter temperature drops can weaken children’s immunity, while poor air quality inflames the airways, making them more susceptible to infections. Increased time spent indoors, due to cold weather or poorly ventilated homes and classrooms, allows viruses to circulate continuously. Lifestyle patterns such as excessive screen exposure, irregular sleep schedules, reduced sunlight, skipped meals, and limited outdoor activity have further weakened immune resilience. Lower water intake during winter can also dry out the throat and nasal passages, reducing natural defenses against viral entry.
Parents are strongly advised to monitor symptoms closely and seek medical attention if fever persists beyond 48 hours, breathing becomes difficult, or the child appears unusually tired or refuses food and fluids. Delayed intervention increases the risk of complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, or ear infections, particularly in children with asthma, allergies, or low immunity. Doctors recommend maintaining adequate warmth, ensuring proper sleep, encouraging hydration, and including immunity-boosting foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, eggs, and warm homemade meals in children’s diets. Exposure to morning sunlight can help maintain Vitamin D levels, while opening windows for short intervals each day reduces indoor viral load. Sick children should be kept at home to prevent the spread of infections in schools and communities.
Health experts caution that repeated winter illnesses should not be taken lightly. Children today face a unique combination of environmental stressors and lifestyle changes that make them more vulnerable than in the past. Ignoring symptoms or dismissing recurring fevers as “seasonal” can compromise long-term respiratory health. With the peak winter period ahead, Paras Health urges heightened awareness, timely medical guidance, and proactive preventive measures to safeguard children from the rapidly spreading winter flu wave.
