H3N2 virus is a non-human influenza virus
The H3N2 virus was first detected in pigs in 2010. It was first detected in people in 2011. In the next year, the H3N2 subtype of influenza A virus outbreak was reported at several places.
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This year, the flu is spreading rapidly in India and the Union Health ministry has issued advisories educating people how to handle the infection and urging people to not panic.
How does this spread from pigs to humans?
The H3N2 virus spreads from an infected pig to humans through infected droplets released by the pig during cough or sneeze.
This virus is transmitted through humans in the same fashion. When the respiratory or cough and sneeze droplets of any infected individual lands on the nose or mouth of another healthy individual and the healthy person inhales these droplets the virus enters the body.
One can also catch the flu if they inhale the virus present in the environment.
How to prevent the spread of H3N2 virus?
Avoid making human contacts if you see someone with flu symptoms
Avoid going outside if you show flu symptoms unless and until it is necessary
Take medications when you show flu signs
If you are coughing or sneezing cover your nose and mouth with your elbows, if you do not have a mask
Avoid touching nose, eyes and mouth without cleaning or sanitizing the hands properly
Do not take antibiotics without consulting doctor. Antibiotics are only effective if the person is suffering from bacterial infection and are not effective against H3N2 influenza virus. Unnecessary consumption of antibiotics makes the body resistant to the medicine.
Why is it essential to limit the spread of H3N2 virus?
It is because a good size of population is vulnerable to the infection caused by the H3N2 virus.
People who are older than 65 years of age, women who are pregnant, children younger than 5 years and those with long-term health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems, and neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions are at a higher risk of H3N2 infection.
Is influenza mild or serious?
Influenza is mild in nature, as per experts. However, it can get severe if there is comorbidity.
The common signs of flu are cough, runny nose, and high fever.
"Symptoms of H3N2v infection are similar to those of seasonal flu viruses and can include fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea," the US CDC says.
Why is the spread of H3N2 virus a global concern?
While the symptoms of this flu seem like the other flu symptoms, the H3N2 virus is a global concern.
It is because the H3N2 virus can cause severe complications like pneumonia which require intense hospital care and negligence can lead to death.
As per the US CDC this virus spreads more easily to humans than other influenza viruses. Also since viruses are always changing, it might be getting easier for these H3N2 viruses to spread easily from humans to humans.
"Studies conducted by CDC and others have indicated that children born after 2001 (age ≤9 years at 2010) have little to no immunity against H3N2v viruses. Adults seem to have more immunity, perhaps because they might have been previously exposed to similar viruses in their lifetimes," the US CDC says.
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