Know more about H3N2, major cause of current respiratory illness

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Influenza A subtype H3N2 is primarily to blame for the country’s present respiratory illnesses.

“Influenza The majority of contemporary respiratory illnesses are caused by a subtype of H3N2, according to the ICMR. Which also stated that the ICMR-DHR (Department of Health Research) has created pan-respiratory virus surveillance across 30 VRLDs (Viral research and diagnostic laboratories).

According to the ICMR, influenza A H3N2 is discovered in almost half of all inpatients admitted for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and outpatients receiving treatment for influenza-like disease.

“Compared to other influenza subtypes, this subtype appears to result in a higher hospitalisation rate. About 92 percent of the hospitalised SARI patients with influenza A H3N2 had a fever, 86 percent had a cough, 27 percent had dyspnea, and 16 percent had wheezing. Furthermore, 16% had clinical symptoms of pneumonia, and 6% experienced convulsions, according to the ICMR.

The leading research organisation also reported that 10% of SARI patients with H3N2 needed oxygen and ICU care, while 7% did.

H3N2 has been widespread for the past two to three months, according to current data from ICMR.

“There has been a dramatic rise in the number of patients exhibiting cough, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, fever, body soreness, and, in some cases, diarrhoea. According to the Indian Medical Association, cough might last for three weeks while fever subsides after three days (IMA).

Furthermore, according to the IMA, instances typically affect those under the age of 15 and over 50. Together with fever, some people are also suffering upper respiratory infections. The precipitating factor “air pollution” is another.

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There is no need for antibiotics, thus medical professionals were recommended to merely treat symptoms. The IMA made the observation that people often begin taking antibiotics like athreycin and amoxiclav. Without regard for dosage or frequency and quit once they begin to feel better. “This needs to cease as it leads to antibiotic resistance,” they continued.