Influenza cases: Former AIIMS-Delhi Director Dr Randeep Guleria has expressed concern over the rise in influenza cases caused by the H3N2 virus. He said it spreads through droplets and mutates every year around this time.
Dr Randeep Guleria is the chairman of the Institute of Internal Medicine and Respiratory and Sleep Medicine and Director of Medical Education. He cautioned the elderly and those who have underlying comorbid conditions to be careful during the festive season.
Symptoms and spread of virus
Talking to the media, Dr Guleria said fever accompanied by sore throat, cough, body aches and runny nose are the typical symptoms of influenza. He added there is a rise in cases because the virus mutated and people’s immunity against it has become reduced.
“We had a pandemic many years ago because of H1N1. The circulating strain of that virus is now H3N2 and, therefore, it is a normal influenza strain. But we are seeing more cases because as the virus mutates a little bit, the immunity that we had against the virus becomes a little less and therefore people who are susceptible tend to get infection more easily,” Dr Guleria said.
He further said that the virus changes slightly every year. He explained that the H3N2 virus comes from a family of influenza viruses which mutates depending upon its various subtypes. The virus mutates or changes slightly every year, in what is known as antigenic drift, he added.
However, the former AIIMS chief said people should not panic as the rise in cases has not led to increased hospitalisation.
What is the prevention?
Dr Randeep Guleria said the rise in cases could be caused by two things – change in weather and people not wearing masks in crowded places post Covid.
The way to prevent ourselves from catching the virus is wearing masks in crowded places, said Dr Randeep Guleria. “We also need to wash our hands frequently and also have physical distancing,” he added. According to Dr Randeep Guleria, there is also a vaccine for high-risk groups and the elderly.
He said it is okay to celebrate Holi but people should be careful, “especially the elderly and those who have underlying comorbid conditions like chronic respiratory diseases, heart problems, kidney problems or undergoing dialysis”.
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