Flu
Influenza, or flu, is a viral infection that usually affects your respiratory system. Image Credit: iStockphoto

New Delhi: Several patients have reported a rise in flu cases with symptoms including high grade fever and persistent cough, said the Indian Medical Association on Saturday, while cautioning against use of antibiotics.

The mounting infections are due to the H3N2 influenza virus, which lasts between five to seven days, the association said in a statement on Twitter, noting that it is seasonal.

Recent data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) also shows that H3N2 — a sub-type of the influenza virus — has been in wide circulation for the last two-three months.

What is H3N2?
H3N2 is a subtype of Influenza A, which has been flagged by the Indian Council of Medical Research, or ICMR, as the cause of the recent wave of fever and cold that has affected Indians across the country.

“A sudden increase in the number of patients having symptoms of cough, nausea, vomiting, sore throat fever, bodyache and diarrhoea in some cases,” the IMA wrote on Twitter.

“While fever goes away at the end of three days, coughs can persist for three weeks,” it added, advising doctors to avoid prescribing antibiotics to such patients.

Symptoms
The Influenza A subtype H3N2 has symptoms like cough, cold and nausea among those who are getting affected. In recent cases, many patients have complained of prolonged symptoms lasting five to seven days. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, pneumonia, and seizures.

Further, the IMA said that the cases are typically seen in people over the age of 50 and below 15. Some are also reporting upper respiratory infection along with fever. “Air pollution” is also a precipitating factor.

It advised medical practitioners to give only symptomatic treatment as there is no need for antibiotics.

The IMA pointed out that people have started taking antibiotics like Athreycin and Amoxiclav etc without caring for dose and frequency and they stop once they start feeling better. They added that “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 wrote.

The medical association advised avoiding crowded places, practising good hand and respiratory hygiene practices as well as flu vaccination.

How to prevent
According to the ICMR, following safety protocols such as wearing mask, taking plenty of fluids, covering the mouth while coughing or sneezing, avoiding touching nose and eyes and taking paracetamol for fever and body ache are the remedies to fight with the virus.

Climate

Harshal R. Salve, Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine, AIIMS, said the increase in the transmission of flu virus is due to abrupt “climatic conditions currently prevalent”.

“Serological surveillance through established mechanisms in the public health system by the government is essential to determine serotype of the virus and its endemic,” Salve told IANS.

Doctors from Primus Hospital, Chanakyapuri, noted that patients with asthma, and those with severe lung infections are finding difficulty in breathing.

Elderly people, children and pregnant women are most vulnerable to getting infected. Therefore, they must remain extra cautious while venturing outside, the doctors said.

“Patients having chronic ailments like asthma have to be extra cautious during such weather transitions as it can trigger severe respiratory issues and asthma attacks. During this time, even a minor respiratory problem must be reported to a pulmonologist or a physician to reduce the risk of escalating the problem,” Chhabra added.