The number of H3N2 infection cases is on the rise across the country. A 58-year-old woman in Gujarat reportedly died of the influenza virus, making it the first death because of the H3N2 in the state. With this, the number of deaths because of the disease has risen to 7. The first death because of the H3N2 virus was reported in Karnataka’s Hassan district.
Covid-19 Appropriate Behaviour Must To Tackle H3N2
According to Dr Randeep Guleria – Chairman, Institute of Internal Medicine, Respiratory & Sleep Medicine, Director-Medical Education, Medanta – Covid appropriate behaviour must be followed in order to tackle the rising cases of influenza caused by the H3N2 virus. Guleria said that high-risk people should be extra careful. Guleria, who also led the national Covid task force, said that among those who are at high risk are – the elderly, young children and people with comorbidities.
In other words, it is advisable to use masks, keep washing your hands regularly, avoid crowded places and stay healthy by following a good diet and physical activities.
The symptoms of H3N2 are mostly like the ones in mild flu. But in extremes of age like the children and the elderly and those with comorbidities, this can severe illness. In extreme cases, it has even resulted in deaths.
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However, experts are of the view that influenza is nothing new and there have always been patients with the disease who get admitted to hospitals because of severe infection. But they warned that it may be a little more this year.
Dr Guleria said that the virus mutates naturally, and this increases the chance of infection. The best way to protect against such viruses is to vaccinate annually.
Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry said that the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are monitoring the situation and doing real-time surveillance of cases of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI).
