Influenza A H3N2

Subject : Science and technology

Section: Health

Concept :

As per Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), rising cases of intense cough lasting for over a week coupled with fever, observed in most parts of the country, can be linked to influenza A H3N2, a subtype of a virus that causes flu.
The virus appeared to lead to more hospitalisations than other influenza subtypes. There was very little difference in symptoms between COVID-19 and the illness brought on by Influenza A H3N2.
Antibiotics cannot treat flu symptoms.
The flu is caused by a virus, and antibiotics only treat bacterial infections. Taking antibiotics needlessly may increase your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
Due to the sudden weather shift and the temperature changing from extreme cold to warm, the flu symptoms are getting more prominent in people.
The ICMR has 30 Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL) for respiratory virus surveillance.
These VRDLs are attached to top medical colleges in different States and gather samples from patients suffering from severe acute respiratory infections (SARI).

Influenza:

Influenza is a viral disease. It is caused by Orthomyxovirus (influenza virus) pathogen.
It is a contagious disease, which means it can be spread easily from person to person.
Viruses that cause influenza spread from person to person mainly by droplets of respiratory fluids sent through the air when someone infected with the virus coughs or sneezes.
Influenza A viruses infect humans and many different animals. Influenza type A viruses are of most significance to public health due to their potential to cause an influenza pandemic.
Influenza type A viruses are classified into subtypes according to the combinations of different virus surface proteins hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA).
Fever, respiratory symptoms like cough and runny nose, as well as other symptoms including body aches, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea, are some of the prominent symptoms of the virus.

Influenza A virus subtype H3N2

Influenza A virus subtype H3N2 (A/H3N2) is a subtype of viruses that causes influenza (flu). H3N2 viruses can infect birds and mammals. In birds, humans, and pigs, the virus has mutated into many strains.
Symptoms typically appear suddenly and can include:
- Cough, runny or congested nose, sore throat, headache, body aches and pains, fever, chills, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting
Vaccine for H3N2
- According to the CDC, the flu vaccine reduces the risk of flu illness in the general population by between 40 and 60 percent during most flu seasons when the vaccine strains are a good match to circulating strains.
- The flu vaccine tends to offer more protection from flu that’s caused by H1N1 viruses and influenza B viruses in comparison to H3N2 viruses.
Treatment of H3N2
- Treatment of an uncomplicated case of seasonal flu, such as H3N2, involves managing symptoms while you recover. Ways to do this include:
- getting plenty of rest, drinking enough fluids, taking over-the-counter medication to relieve symptoms such as fever, headache, and aches and pains
- Some people are at an increased risk of developing serious complications from the flu. These complications can include pneumonia or worsening of a preexisting medical condition, such as asthma.