H3N2 cases on the rise: Symptoms, treatment, dos and don'ts

NEW DELHI: With H3N2 influenza virus cases on rise in the country, the Centre called for increased monitoring and precaution measures but also reassured that there is no need to panic yet.

In Karnataka, 82-year-old Hire Gowda. a diabetic who suffered from hypertension, died due to the H3N2 seasonal influenza subtype on March 1. Another death, that of a 56-year-old lung cancer patient, was reported from Haryana.

From January 2 to March 5, 451 cases of the H3N2 have been reported in the country. The Centre asserted that said it is keeping a close watch on the situation and cases are expected to decline from month end.



What's H3N2 infleunza?

H3N2 is a variant of the influenza virus. H3N2 influenza viruses began circulating in humans in 1968 and have evolved substantially since. Typically, flu seasons dominated by H3N2 activity are more severe, particularly among at-risk groups such as older adults and younger children.

Symptoms

The symptoms of H3N2 include cold, cough and throat pain. Air pollution makes the H3N2 strain worse. It is easily contagious and has increased the number of hospitalisations for influenza.

According to ICMR researchers, feverish upper respiratory infections are a common occurrence in people and may be made worse by air pollution. Coughing, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, body aches, and diarrhoea are additional typical symptoms.

How serious it is?

Of the hospitalised SARI patients down with influenza A H3N2, about 92% reported fever, 86% cough, 27% breathlessness and 16% wheezing.

Another 16% had clinical signs of pneumonia and 6% seizures. Ten per cent of SARI patients, having H3N2, needed oxygen support while 7% required ICU care.

How is it different from the common flu?

Of the four — A, B, C and D — influenza viruses A and B cause the seasonal epidemics of flu, a respiratory illness, that occur every year. Some influenza A subtypes — H1N1 (or, swine flu virus) and H3N2 — can cause more severe illnesses.

At risk A survey published in Nature shows that H3N2 virus infections produce non-neutralising H3N2 antibodies, particularly among middle-aged. The Indian Medical Association says people over 50 and below 15 are more vulnerable, and air pollution could be a precipitating factor.

IMA issues advisory

The IMA has issued a note of caution against misuse of antibiotics amid a spike in flu cases in India.

It has said many people are taking antibiotics on their own to manage fever and coughs which can be due to the seasonal influenza. ICMR says antibiotics should be prescribed by doctors to ensure that they are not given beyond the recommended duration.

It is made available through the Public Health System free of cost. The government has allowed the sale of Oseltamivir under Schedule H1 of Drug and Cosmetic Act in February 2017 for wider accessibility and availability.

Do's

• If symptomatic Wash hands with soap and water
• Wear masks and avoid crowded places
• Cover mouth and nose while sneezing and coughing
• Take plenty of fluids
• Avoid touching eyes and nose
• Take Paracetamol for fever and body aches

Dont's

• Shake hands or use other contact greetings
• Take antibiotics or other medicine without consulting a doctor
• Spit in public
• Eat together sitting close to others Drugs Oseltamivir is the drug recommended by WHO.

Drugs

• Oseltamivir is the drug recommended by WHO. It is made available through the Public Health System free of cost.
• The government has allowed the sale of Oseltamivir under Schedule H1 of Drug and Cosmetic Act in February 2017 for wider accessibility and availability.