The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has identified the ‘Influenza A subtype H3N2’ virus as its major cause of rising cases of high fever and cough being reported across the country. H3N2, a subtype of viruses that causes flu, causes more hospitalisations than other influenza subtypes, according to the apex health research agency.
ICMR, through its network of 30 Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) in India, keeps continuous surveillance of illnesses caused by respiratory viruses.
According to surveillance data from ICMR’S VRDLS, from December 15 to date, about half of all inpatient severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and outpatient influenza-like illnesses were found to have influenced A H3N2.
Further, the data shows that out of the hospitalized SARI patients with influenza A H3N2, about 92 per cent are suffering from fever, 86 per cent from cough, 27 per cent from breathlessness, 16 per cent with wheezing, and additionally, 16 per cent had clinical signs of pneumonia and 6 per cent has seizures.
“Also, 10 per cent of SARI patients who have H3N2 needed oxygen, and 7 per cent required ICU care,” ICMR stated.
How To Be Safe From ‘Influenza A subtype H3N2’
ICMR has suggested a slew of measures including regular washing of hands and spitting in public to keep people safe from the viral infection.
The Dos include washing hands with soap and water. If symptomatic, wear masks and avoid crowded places, cover mouth and nose while sneezing and coughing, take plenty of fluids, avoid touching eyes and nose, and take paracetamol for fever and body ache.
The Don’ts include shaking hands or using other contact greetings, spitting in public, taking antibiotics or other medicines without consulting a doctor, eating together sitting close to others.
Experts’ Advise
According to Dr Arjun Dang, CEO, Dr Dangs Lab, H3N2 Influenza cases are being reported more in comparison to H1N1.
“In the past few weeks, we’ve gotten more than a few 100 tests out of which a lot of them are positive for H3N2. But it’s interesting to see that we are getting less H1N1 positive,” Dr Dang told news agency ANI.
Dr Sameer Bhati, Public Health Expert, and Director, Star imaging and path lab said, “We have observed an increase in Flu cases where H3N2 is found majorly after diagnosis. We do RT PCR for its confirmation where RNA is extracted from the samples and then it is amplified using RT PCR technology.”
“The results are interpreted on the basis of specific fluroscent dye for each Infuenza viruses like H1N1, H3N2, H5N1 and H7N9. Generally, when H3N2 dominates the flu cases, the cases are severe for people in At-Risk Groups like older adults & younger children while people with chronic medical issues have more chances of experiencing flu complications due to weak immune systems and may also require hospitalisation,” he further said.
IMA Advises Against Indiscriminate Antibiotics Use
The Indian Medical Association (IMA), on the other hand, has advised against indiscriminate use of antibiotics amid rising cases of cough, cold and nausea across the country.
Seasonal fever will last five to seven days, it said.
The fever goes away at the end of three days but the cough can persist for up to three weeks, the IMA’s Standing Committee for Anti-Microbial Resistance said.
Viral cases have also surged due to air pollution, it said, adding that it mostly occurs in people aged below 15 and above 50 and causes upper respiratory infections along with fever.
The association also asked doctors to prescribe only symptomatic treatment and not antibiotics.
“Right now, people start taking antibiotics like Azithromycin and Amoxiclav etc, that too without caring for done and frequency and stop it once start feeling better. This needs to be stopped as it leads to antibiotic resistance. Whenever there will be a real use of antibiotics, they will not work due to the resistance,” the IMA said in a statement.
The most misused antibiotics are Amoxicillin, Norfloxacin, Oprofloxacin, Ofloxacin and Levofloxacin. These are being used for the treatment of diarrhoea and UTI, it said.
“We have already seen widespread use of Azithromycin and Ivermectin during Covid and this too has led to resistance. It is necessary to diagnose whether the infection is bacterial or not before prescribing antibiotics,” it said.
(with agency inputs)
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