H3N2 Influenza Symptoms, Treatment: “Influenza A subtype H3N2 is the major cause of current respiratory illness,” said the Indian Council of Medical Research, adding that the ICMR-DHR (Department of Health Research) established pan-respiratory virus surveillance in 30 VRLDs (viral research and Is. clinical laboratories).
The ICMR said that almost half of all patients admitted for severe acute respiratory infection (SARI), as well as outpatients being treated for influenza-like illness, have been found to have influenza A H3N2.
“This subtype appears to cause more hospitalizations than other influenza subtypes. Among hospitalized SARI patients with influenza A H3N2, approximately 92 percent present with fever, 86 percent with cough, 27 percent with breathlessness , and 16 percent with wheezing. Additionally, 16 percent had “clinical signs of pneumonia and 6 percent had seizures,” the ICMR said.
The apex research body also said that 10 per cent of SARI patients with H3N2 require oxygen, while 7 per cent require ICU care.
Meanwhile, the recent ICMR data also suggests that H3N2 is widely circulating since last two-three months.
“A sudden increase in the number of patients with symptoms of cough, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, fever, body ache and diarrhea has been observed in some cases. While the fever goes away at the end of three days, the cough persists for several days. may last until.” three weeks,” said the Indian Medical Association (IMA).
Furthermore, the IMA said that cases are commonly seen in people above 50 years and below 15 years of age. Some people are also reporting upper respiratory infection with fever. “Air pollution” is also a precipitating factor.
It advised physicians to give only symptomatic treatment as there is no need for antibiotics.
The IMA reported that people have started taking antibiotics like anthracin and amoxiclav, regardless of the dose and frequency, and stopped once they started feeling better. He added that “this needs to be stopped because it leads to antibiotic resistance.”
The IMA wrote, “Whenever antibiotics have an actual use, they will not work because of resistance.”
The Medical Association recommends avoiding crowded places and practicing good hand and respiratory hygiene practices, as well as getting a flu vaccination.
Professor Harshal R., Center for Community Medicine, AIIMS. Salve said that the increase in transmission of the flu virus is due to the “currently prevailing climatic conditions”.
“Serological surveillance through mechanisms set up by the government in the public health system is essential to determine the serotype of the virus and its endemicity,” Salve told IANS.
Doctors at Primus Hospital, Chanakyapuri, said that asthma patients and those with severe lung infection are facing difficulty in breathing.
The elderly, children and pregnant women are most at risk of getting infected. Hence, they should be extra careful while stepping out, the doctors said.
“Patients with chronic diseases like asthma have to be extra cautious during such weather changes as it can trigger severe respiratory problems and asthma attacks. Exacerbating the problem,” Chhabra said.
(Disclaimer: This article is based on a syndicated feed and is not a substitute for medical advice. Zee News does not endorse it.)