Bengaluru, Aug. 19 -- The monsoon season has brought a concerning rise in viral and bacterial infections across Bengaluru, particularly affecting children and the elderly.

Dr Gaurav Sharma, a general physician who runs the GS Family Clinic in the city, noted a sharp uptick in cases of viral fever and respiratory illnesses of late. "There is a surge in both bacterial and viral infections, especially pneumonia, in children and the elderly," he said.

He linked the seasonal spike to the city's current weather conditions. Bengaluru's monsoon climate - characterised by temperatures between 20 to 28 degrees Celsius and humidity levels exceeding 70 per cent - creates ideal conditions for germs to thrive, he said. "During this season, growth of ...