IMA Issues H1N1 Alert as Monsoon Cases Rise, Advises Against Self-Medication
H1N1 infections are increasing during the monsoon, prompting the IMA to urge vigilance, timely medical care and responsible use of medicines.
The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, August 26, 2026; The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for increased caution amid a seasonal rise in Influenza A (H1N1) infections during the monsoon, while reassuring the public that there is no indication of a new or unusually dangerous strain.
The medical body said H1N1 cases are being detected across several parts of the country. Delhi has reported more than 1,770 laboratory-confirmed infections, while Maharashtra, Karnataka and West Bengal have also recorded cases.
According to the IMA, monitoring by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has found the virus currently circulating to be seasonal Influenza A (H1N1), with no novel genetic mutations identified.
The association said most infections are expected to remain mild and recover on their own. Common symptoms include sudden fever with chills, dry cough, sore throat, body pain, tiredness, headache and nasal congestion. Children may additionally experience vomiting, nausea or diarrhoea.
The IMA has particularly cautioned people against taking antibiotics without medical advice. It pointed out that H1N1 is caused by a virus and therefore medicines such as azithromycin, amoxicillin-clavulanate and cefixime cannot treat the underlying flu infection.
Unnecessary antibiotic consumption, the association said, can disturb beneficial bacteria in the body and contribute to antimicrobial resistance. Antibiotics should only be taken when a doctor identifies a secondary bacterial infection through appropriate clinical assessment and, where required, laboratory testing.
The IMA has also advised against taking antiviral medicines without professional guidance. Oseltamivir is a prescription medicine and its use should be determined by a qualified doctor according to the patient’s clinical condition and risk category.
The association has urged people to seek emergency medical assistance if flu symptoms are accompanied by breathing difficulty, rapid breathing, chest pain or pressure, or bluish lips and fingers.
Other serious warning signs include coughing up blood, confusion, unusual drowsiness, seizures, repeated vomiting and an inability to keep fluids down. In children, difficulty feeding, marked weakness, grunting and severe chest retractions should be treated as emergency symptoms.
To reduce transmission, the IMA has recommended regular handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or the use of alcohol-based sanitiser. People have also been advised to cover their nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing and use a properly fitted mask in crowded or poorly ventilated places.
Those who develop flu should remain at home and avoid schools, offices and social gatherings until they have been free of fever for at least 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medicines.
The IMA has further encouraged seasonal influenza vaccination, particularly among healthcare workers, pregnant women, senior citizens and people living with chronic medical conditions.
The advisory, issued in the public interest, urged citizens to remain alert to worsening symptoms while avoiding unnecessary medicines and panic over the seasonal increase in H1N1 infections.
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