HYDERABAD: Doctors and medical experts posited a possible decrease in the H3N2 viral infection cases over the past week, with people aged around 65 years
especially affected, which may come as a relief to residents.
The most common symptoms of H3N2 are similar to the seasonal flu — cold,
prolonged cough, high-grade fever, body pains, headache, nasal congestion,
throat pain, running nose and fatigue.
Dr Narahari Bapanapally, a pediatrician in Nagarkurnool Government Hospital,
said, “Surprisingly, this year, the number of cases and severity of the
influenza has been higher and no age group has been exempted. This might be
because of lower immunity post Covid-19 or extensive exposure and movement
to public places. However, the bright side is that most of the patients have
recovered fully and there has been no mortality as of date.”
“The influenza already started in December, but people realised it late. We
saw the highest number of cases in January and February, but there is a
declining trend now. The recovery period has been longer this time, more
than a week, which is usually three to five days.”
Doctors said that elderly people were the most affected and took longer to
recover.
The head of the Medicine Department at KIMS Hospital, Dr Shiva Raju K.,
said, “We would advise people, especially in the age group of 65 and above,
to take the flu vaccines as a precautionary measure as it is the elderly
people who have been most affected, taking more than a week or two to
recover. In some cases, we also observed post-viral pneumonia, severe
weakness and lung infection that also needed hospitalisation.”
Dr Nalini Ghanate, pulmonologist at the Government General and Chest
Hospital, said, “H3N2 causes mild flu-like illness and children under 5
years of age, adults older than 65 years of age and those with underlying
chronic diseases and immunodeficiencies are most at risk.” He said patients
may have persistent cough for 3-4 weeks after recovery. Also, pneumonia is a
complication which may need hospitalisation.
Doctors also cautioned school-going children to wear masks, avoid crowded
places and keep off refrigerated and frozen foods.
“The situation is slightly better right now, but the tendency of the
infection is always there. Moreover, there will be weather changes in
another two months and people travel extensively in summer vacations, which
can also raise the risk of the viral infection. So, it is better to gear up
and get the precautionary vaccines,” Dr Shiva Raju said.
