Doctors Advised to wear a Mask

NEW-DELHI: Amid the continuous hike in H3N2 influenza virus cases in the country, recent data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) revealed that H3N2 - a subtype of the influenza virus - has been causing widespread outbreaks for the past two-three months. The IMA said that in some cases there has been a sudden increase in the number of patients with symptoms of cough, vomiting, sore throat, fever, body aches and diarrhoea. The number of flu patients has increased in Delhi. Meanwhile, former director of AIIMS Randeep Guleria said that this disease is spreading like corona.

Randeep Guleria, Institute of Internal Medicine, Medanta Hospital, said that H3N2 is a type of influenza virus. It is seen every year. However, it is a virus that changes over time, which is called antigenic drift, Dr. Guleria said. He said that a pandemic-H1N1 virus had been observed earlier. Now its circulating strain is H3N2, so it is a common influenza strain. He said that this disease spreads through droplets like corona.

Dr. Randeep Guleria said that currently we are witnessing an increase in influenza cases. In this, patients with fever, sore throat, cough, body pain and runny nose are coming to the fore. There has been an increase in the number of such patients in the OPDs of various hospitals in the National capital. Dr. Guleria said that in such a situation, people suffering from serious diseases need to be more careful. He said that such people should wear masks as a precaution, wash their hands frequently and also maintain physical distance.

Health experts said that asthma patients and people with severe lung infections are having trouble breathing due to flu. In such a situation, the elderly, children and pregnant women are most at risk of getting infected. The IMA has also advised people to avoid crowded places, wash hands thoroughly and get vaccinated against flu. The IMA says that H3N2 infections are most commonly seen in people over the age of 50 and under the age of 15. The Indian Medical Association has warned against overuse of antibiotics.