Chronic cough and fever may be caused by the H3N2 virus. Such cases are increasing day by day. The Indian Council of Medical Research has warned against using antibiotic pills after testing if such symptoms occur. H3N2 fever spreading fast in India: Check symptoms, treatment and prevention.
A lingering cough accompanied by occasional fever has been spreading throughout India for the past few months. The widely circulating flu, which is caused by the H3N2 subtype of Influenza A, results in more hospitalisations than other subtypes. Owing to the rapid spread of the flu, the sales of various medications, such as bronchial cough syrups, anti-allergy medicines, and paracetamol tablets, have gone up by more than 25% in cities like Delhi.
H3N2 symptoms:
Fever, respiratory symptoms like cough and runny nose, body aches, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea, are some of the common symptoms of the H3N2 virus. Viral cases have also surged due to air pollution, according to the Indian Medical Association. The infection mostly targets people aged below 15 and above 50 and causes upper respiratory infections along with fever.
H3N2 treatment and prevention:
An expert told Hindustan Times, Livemint’s sister publication that children and adults with H3N2 Virus can be treated with Oseltamivir, zanamivir, peramivir, and baloxavir, but it is important to take advice from a physician. Besides, to prevent such severe respiratory infections, annual flu vaccination should be obtained.
People should wear a mask in crowded places to avoid infection. Regular washing of hands must be taken seriously. 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
H3N2 Flu: Key things you should know about the influenza virus
-As per ICMR, upper respiratory infections accompanied by fever are being observed in people, possibly exacerbated by air pollution. In addition, common symptoms include coughing, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, body aches, and diarrhea.
– The ICMR and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) have advised patients against the indiscriminate use of antibiotics or any other medication without consulting a doctor. “Treatment with paracetamol for fever and bodyache is advised. Also take in plenty of fluids,” the ICMR has said.
– “People start taking antibiotics like azithromycin and amoxiclav etc., that too without caring for dose and frequency and stop it once they start feeling better. This needs to be stopped as it leads to antibiotic resistance,” the IMA has said.
– Shaking hands or using other forms of contact greeting should be discouraged, the ICMR has noted.
– “The infection usually lasts for about five to seven days. The fever goes away at the end of three days, but the cough can persist for up to three weeks,” as per IMA.
– Indian Medical Association has also asked doctors to prescribe only symptomatic treatment and not antibiotics.
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-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.
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