10 things you should know about the “H3N2” influenza outbreak in India

The H3N2 subtype of the influenza A virus has now infected and spread rapidly across India since March 2023. “Hong Kong Flu” with symptoms similar to those of the 2019 coronavirus.

India’s emerging H3N2 subtype of the influenza A virus was first detected in Tamil Nadu in late February 2023. The virus has since spread to other states such as Karnataka and Maharashtra. Ra, Gujarat and Delhi

2. What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of the H3N2 influenza virus are similar to those of the 2019 coronavirus.

• chills cough
• have a fever
• Nausea, vomiting
• sore throat/sore throat
• muscle and body aches
• diarrhea
• sneezing and runny nose
• It has an infection rate of 15% and a death rate of about 0.1-0.5%.

3. How can I prevent it?

vaccinate each year Wash your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer. (Contains 70% alcohol) Avoid contact with patients. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. and taking leave, isolating at home when symptoms are present, and working less when sick.

4. How to treat?

Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, and use pain relievers and fever reducers when necessary. If the patient has severe symptoms or is a vulnerable group, the doctor should be prescribed antiretroviral drugs such as “oseltamivir” and “zanamivir”.

5. How is the epidemic spread?

H3N2 influenza is highly contagious and can be transmitted from person to person through droplets released when coughing, sneezing or talking to an infected person. It can also spread if an infected person touches their mouth or nose with their hands after touching a virus-infected surface.

Pregnant women, young children, the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for complications from influenza infection.

6. Do’s and Don’ts?

Things to do

• Avoid crowded situations and wear a mask.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. or hand sanitizer gel with 70% alcohol
• Don’t touch your mouth or nose.
• when sneezing and coughing Keep your mouth and nose closed enough.
• Use paracetamol for fever and body aches.
• Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water.

What not to do

• spit in public
• Use tactile greetings, such as a touching caress, handshake.
• self healing when symptoms are severe
• Eating meals sitting next to others

7. COVID-19 infection or vaccination may weaken immunity to the H3N2 influenza virus.

COVID-19 infection May impair the immune system’s ability to fight off other pathogens such as the H3N2 influenza virus. COVID-19 may damage respiratory tissue causing inflammation. and suppress the immune system

Vaccination against COVID-19 May stimulate specific immune responses against SARs-CoV-2 viruses, but not other viruses such as H3N2 influenza virus.

COVID-19 infection or vaccination may alter the balance of the respiratory microbiome. which plays a role in the immune response and protects against infection from other pathogens

8. Influenza “H3N2” that has been spreading in India since February 2023. Is it a random risk of spreading around the world (Pandemic) or not?

In the past, the H3N2 subtype of influenza virus outbreaks in 1968 was caused by a combination of genes from avian influenza A viruses and human influenza A viruses. It killed an estimated one to four million people worldwide. Since then, the H3N2 virus has become an annual epidemic of seasonal influenza viruses. And can be prevented with annual vaccination.

Hence, an H3N2 outbreak occurring in India now may be less likely to spread globally like the H3N2 influenza virus precursor from Hong Kong in 1968 if the Indian authorities took active monitoring and control measures. concise

9. The “H3N2” influenza was first identified in Hong Kong in 1968 and has spread worldwide (Hongkong flu pandemic).

H3N2 influenza was first detected in Hong Kong in July 1968 and has spread to other countries such as Vietnam, Singapore, India, Australia, Europe and North America.

H3N2 influenza is a randomly generated influenza A virus. Reassortment of genes from avian influenza A (H3 hemagglutinin) and influenza A (N2 neuraminidase) viruses.

gene bar exchange The gene/genetic reassortment results in an antigenic shift of the protein spike on the viral sheath, enabling the virus to evade immunity from natural infection or vaccination. using previous strains of influenza virus as an inoculation It is a process in which two or more influenza virus strains randomly swap genetic material (of which there are 8 sticks) to create a new strain of virus that can bypass immunity. This process can occur when two different strains of influenza viruses multiply infecting the same cell.

The H3N2 influenza strain is highly infectious to humans. Because receiving a gene enhances the ability to bind to receptors in human upper respiratory tract cells.

H3N2 influenza has killed an estimated one to four million people worldwide. The mortality rate is not high, about 0.5%.

10. H3N2 influenza antiviral drugs

Antivirals are medications that can help prevent or treat influenza infection by inhibiting the multiplication of the virus inside the cells.

Antiviral drugs can reduce the severity and duration of symptoms. Reduce the risk of complications and hospitalization. and prevent death from influenza infection

The main antiviral drugs for influenza are: oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), which belongs to a class of drugs called neuraminidase inhibitors

Oseltamivir and zanamivir are effective against influenza H3N2 viruses as well as influenza A and B viruses.

Oseltamivir and zanamivir should be taken as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms. The drug should be taken within 48 hours for the best benefit.