H3N2 virus: If you are suffering from fever, cough and breathlessness, chances are you will end up in hospital smitten by influenza virus sub-type H3N2, which thankfully is not a COVID 19 variant but reason enough to set alarm bells ringing.
Now, how is H3N2 spread? The answer is simple. According to doctors, if you come in close contact with somebody infected with the virus and inhale the aerosol exhaled by the infected person, chances are you too will get infected.
Alarm bells began ringing when the first two deaths from the influenza virus subtype H3N2 were reported; one from Karnataka and the other from Haryana. Subsequently, the Union Ministry of Health released a statement on March 10, which stated the department is keeping a close watch on the morbidity and mortality of H3N2.
Influenza viruses are of four types
The ministry also advised children, young adults and the elderly, especially those with comorbidities, to maintain caution because they are most vulnerable to seasonal influenza.
Influenza viruses are of four types: A, B, C and D, it is believed. During the flu season, Influenza A and B viruses are the likely cause. Seasonal influenza refers to the acute respiratory infections caused by influenza viruses. Doctors say that the only influenza viruses known to cause flu pandemics, or global epidemics of flu are Influenza A viruses.
In India, cases of seasonal influenza increase from January to March, and in the post-monsoon season. According to health ministry sources, cases of seasonal influenza are expected to be on the wane from March end.
Since the onset of 2023, Influenza H3N2 has been the predominant subtype among the samples testing positive.
Severe acute respiratory illness
Of the cases hospitalised due to severe acute respiratory illness caused by H3N2, about 92 per cent had fever, 86 per cent had cough, 27 per cent experienced breathlessness, 16 per cent had wheezing, 16 per cent showed clinical signs of pneumonia, and six per cent experienced seizures.
This in effect means common symptoms of H3N2 infection are fever, cough, breathlessness, and wheezing, while pneumonia and seizures are rare symptoms.
According to experts, H3N2 is causing symptoms which are more severe than what was seen earlier.
“Lots of patients are complaining of persistent coughs or bouts of cough which keep going on for many days, sometimes even for weeks after the flu settles. Even in the post-viral phase, lots of people have prolonged fatigue, weakness, tiredness, mental fogging, and inability to work and concentrate,” says an expert.
Keep watching our YouTube Channel ‘DNP INDIA’. Also, please subscribe and follow us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and TWITTER.
.
