Flu cases: In the midst of increasing cases of viral fever, cold and cough, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has identified Influenza subtype A H3N2 as the major cause of respiratory illness in India.

According to ICMR statistics, Pan respiratory virus surveillance has been established across 30 VRDLs by ICMR/DHR. The surveillance results from December 15 to date suggest an increase in the number of influenza A H3N2 cases. A H3N2 was shown to have impacted around half of all inpatient severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and outpatient influenza-like diseases.

The ICMR has stated that the clinical aspects of Influenza A H3N2 appear to cause more hospitalisations than other influenza subtypes.

“Out of the hospitalised SARI patients with influenza A H3N2, about 92 per cent are suffering from fever, 86 per cent from cough, 27 per cent from dyspnea, 16 per cent with wheezing, and moreover, 16 per cent had clinical symptoms of pneumonia and 6 per cent has convulsions. In addition, 10% of SARI patients with H3N2 required oxygen, and 7% required ICU care, according to the ICMR.

“Among the Dos is washing hands with soap and water. Use masks and avoid crowded places if symptomatic, cover mouth and nose while sneezing and coughing, drink plenty of fluids, avoid touching eyes and nose, and take paracetamol for fever and body soreness, according to the ICMR.

It went on to say, “The Don’ts include shaking hands or using other contact greetings, spitting in public, taking antibiotics or other medicines without visiting a doctor, eating together sitting near to others, and eating together sitting close to others.”

Notably, in January, ANI was the first to report on the frequency of H3N2.

According to Dr Arjun Dang, CEO of Dr Dangs Lab, H3N2 influenza cases outnumber H1N1 influenza cases.

“In the last several weeks, we’ve gotten more than a few hundred tests, and a lot of them are positive for H3N2,” he said. Yet, it is fascinating to note that we are becoming less H1N1 positive.”

“We have witnessed an upsurge in Flu cases where H3N2 is discovered primarily after diagnosis,” stated Dr. Sameer Bhati, Public Health Specialist and Director of Star Imaging and Path Lab. For validation, we use RT PCR, which extracts RNA from samples and then amplifies it using RT PCR technology.”