Delhi hospitals are experiencing an increase in H3N2

 Patients in Delhi hospitals are experiencing an increase in H3N2 infections and chronic coughing

H3N2 infections in Delhi hospitals are on the rise. Although it typically causes symptoms like fever, cold, and body pains, in certain cases it also leaves patients with a prolonged cough that makes them quite weak, according to physicians.

Delhi Hospitals are seeing an increase in cases of the H3N2 virus, which causes symptoms like fever, cold, and body aches but, in some cases, also leaves behind a persistent cough that renders patients quite weak, according to doctors.

According to them, the number of patients bringing similar complaints to OPDs has increased by over 150%.

Dr. Viny Kantroo, Consultant, Respiratory, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Consultant, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, elaborated on the probable causes of the increase and said the outbreak could have been brought on by seasonal change, virus mutation, and the economy being fully open.

"Children attend school, and they pass it along to the elders. There is a lot of cross-country travel. Covid was the predominant virus throughout the past two years, and there

Delhi A 20-bed isolation unit in the emergency block of the government-run LNJP Hospital has been set up for these patients.

We have done this and stocked up on medications in accordance with the recommendations of the ICMR. According to a top physician, a 15-person team has been assembled to oversee the patients' care.

According to Dr. Rajiva Gupta, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at the CK Birla Hospital in Delhi and Gurugram, the number of ILI (influenza-like illness) cases has increased recently.

"For instance, if we had two to three patients every OPD last month, there has been a 1.5 times increase this month. Fever, discomfort, a cold, and body aches are the symptoms. In some situations, patients also have diarrhoea, gastrointestinal pain, and even ear fullness "Added he.

The senior physician underlined that when a patient has comorbid conditions, the treatment strategy only slightly alters. In these situations, it is important for the family members to keep an eye on the patient's blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation levels, and state of consciousness.

He emphasised, "If these levels change, the patient needs to be hospitalised.

Dr. Vikas Deswal, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Medanta, Gurugram, explained about the current strain and added that the influenza virus, which affects our respiratory system most frequently, comes in three different types: A, B, and C.

Subtype A of these is the most frequently encountered. H3N2 is a subtype of the influenza A virus that causes symptoms similar to those of other flu viruses, including coughing, fever, cold, sore throat, exhaustion, muscle pain, and respiratory issues, especially in children.

According to both doctors, it has occasionally been noted that patients continue to cough even after their fever has subsided.

The following is a list of some of the most common questions we get from our customers. Due to it, patients often experience tremendous weakness, according to Gupta.

As infections mutate over time, Deswal advised against letting your guard down at this time and stressed the importance of taking safeguards.

People should avoid taking antibiotics, especially if they have H3N2, as they can be hazardous and ineffective for treating viral illnesses like H3N2.

It is advised to take precautions such avoiding touching surfaces, washing your hands, adopting COVID-appropriate behaviour, practising social distancing, donning masks, and staying indoors if you are having viral symptoms because the virus spreads by droplets and direct contact.

In addition, he stressed the importance of yearly influenza vaccinations for everyone.

(Only the report's headline and image may have been changed by the Business Standard team; all other material was likely created automatically from a syndicated feed.)