H3N2 Influenza Virus hits India after Covid-19

After the Covid-19 pandemic, India again witnessed the attack of the H3N2.  Two individuals in Karnataka and ten other people in Haryana have succumbed to the Influenza A subtype H3N2 virus, which has so far affected around 90 people across the country.

What is H3N2?

The flu, a contagious respiratory illness, is commonly caused by influenza viruses. These viruses fall under four different types – A, B, C, and D. Influenza A is further classified into various subtypes, and H3N2 is one of them. H3N2 is a subtype of the Influenza A virus that caused the 1968 flu pandemic, resulting in the deaths of approximately one million people worldwide and around 100,000 in the United States alone.

common symptoms of H3N2 Virus

The symptoms of an H3N2 infection include high fever, severe headache, body pain, sore throat, severe cough, cold, and congestion in the lungs. The symptoms are comparable to those of any other flu and may also include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, albeit in a few cases. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) notes that an H3N2 infection typically lasts for five to seven days, with the fever subsiding after three days, while the coughing may continue for up to three weeks.

Severe symptoms of influenza virus

1. Breathing difficulties or shortness of breath, which may indicate the onset of respiratory complications like pneumonia.
2. Persistent or severe vomiting, which can lead to dehydration.
3. Dehydration, which can occur when patients with H3N2 Influenza are not drinking enough fluids or are experiencing severe vomiting or diarrhea.
4. Low blood pressure, which can result from severe dehydration or sepsis.
5. Rapid breathing, which may occur when patients are struggling to breathe or have low oxygen saturation levels.
6. Worsening of pre-existing chronic medical conditions, such as asthma or diabetes.
7. Bluish lips or face, which may indicate low oxygen levels in the blood and can be a complication of pneumonia or other severe respiratory infections.
8. Seizures or convulsions, which can result from inflammation in the brain due to severe influenza or other viral infections.

Who can get affected?

Individuals under 15 and over 50, as well as those with pre-existing medical conditions like,

asthma

diabetes,

heart disease,

weakened immune systems,

and neurological or neurodevelopmental

these conditions are at higher risk of contracting the virus, per IMA.

Precautions

“It is imperative to maintain the preventive measures we adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic in similar circumstances. This includes wearing masks and regularly sanitizing hands. If someone has symptoms like cough, cold, or fever, it’s crucial to avoid close contact with them.”- Dr Anupam Sibal

Taking necessary precautions such as getting vaccinated, maintaining good hygiene, avoiding crowded places, and wearing masks is crucial to prevent the spread of the virus. Anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms should seek medical attention promptly to prevent further complications.