What to Do and What Not to Do When You Have H3N2 Influenza

Overview

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• Source: Microbioz India


• Date: 10 Mar,2023

On Friday, as India reported its first two deaths from seasonal influenza subtype H3N2, one in Karnataka and one in Haryana, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya urged states to remain on high alert and closely monitor the situation in light of the ‘increasing’ number of cases. Many previous flu pandemics in the country were traced back to H3N2. The transition from extremely cold to mild weather can also have an effect on the frequency with which people experience flu symptoms.

H3N2 influenza virus?

When influenza viruses discovered in pigs also infect humans, we name them “variant” viruses because they don’t ordinarily infect humans. Viruses of the influenza A H3N2 variant subtype (H3N2v) carrying the matrix (M) gene of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus were first found in humans in July 2011. In 2010, the viruses were first detected in swine in the United States. It was found that H3N2v had infected 12 humans in 2011. There were three H3N2v outbreaks in 2012, with a total of 309 confirmed cases. Since then, some H3N2v infections have been shown to persist.

Common symptoms of H3N2 influenza?

H3N2 virus typically causes the following symptoms:

1. Chills
2. Coughing
3. Fever
4. Nausea
5. Vomiting
6. Throat ache/sore throat
7. An ache in muscles and body
8. In some cases, diarrhoea
9. Sneezing and runny nose

What safety measures should be taken?

Because the virus assaults the respiratory tract, it is extremely necessary to do the following, which may be done with the help of a pulse oximeter:

1. Maintain constant monitoring of the oxygen level
2. A trip to the doctor is obligatory if the oxygen saturation level is lower than 95% at any point throughout the examination.
3. If the patient’s oxygen saturation level is lower than 90 percent, intensive care may be necessary for the patient.
4. In these kinds of situations, specialists advise avoiding the use of self-medication.

Diagnosis of H3N2?

Several of the symptoms of the flu are similar to those of other respiratory disorders, such as the common cold. It is impossible to tell whether a person has the flu only by observing the physical symptoms they are exhibiting because this is one of the reasons why.

A laboratory examination can definitively determine whether you are suffering from influenza or another sickness. This can be done by a trained medical practitioner. But, if you experience symptoms that are consistent with influenza during the conventional flu season (which runs from October to May), they may diagnose you with influenza even if they do not do a laboratory test on you.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), neuraminidase inhibitors should be provided as quickly as possible (preferably, within 48 hours after the onset of symptoms) in order to maximise the therapeutic advantages. This recommendation applies to both suspected and proven cases.

What to Do and What Not to Do

What to do?

1. Keep hydrated and consume a lot of fluids
2. Cover your nose and mouth properly when coughing and sneezing
3. Avoid touching your nose and mouth
4. Use paracetamol if you have a fever or a body ache
5. If you sneeze or cough, cover your nose and mouth

What not to do?

1. Eating while seated near to other people;
2. Spitting in public places
3. Using contact-based greetings, such as shaking hands
4. Self-medicating and taking antibiotics or any other medications without contacting a doctor