SOLOPOS.COM – Illustration of flu symptoms (Business)
Solopos.com, JAKARTA-In the changing season from rainy to dry and vice versa, which is known as the transition season, it usually causes various diseases.
This disease is caused by bacteria or viruses. Seasonal illnesses have always been linked to viral infections, but their numbers are higher this year than ever.
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Perhaps it is due to sharp temperature fluctuations, abnormal heat and pollution that increase the amount of allergens in the atmosphere and activate the virus.
In India, there is one virus that is now threatening, namely the H3N2 influenza virus circulating. This virus is said to be more contagious than influenza in general.
The most common symptoms of any flu virus are runny nose, cough, high fever, body aches, headache, sneezing, stuffy nose, sore throat, watery eyes and mucus running from the nose down the throat.
The symptoms may subside on the third or fourth day but this time the coughing attacks are severe and persistent, lasting up to two to four weeks after recovery.
Even unexplained headaches bother some patients. About 30 to 40 percent of patients go to the ER because of a stubborn cough.
Nearly everyone reports bronchitis, an inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from your lungs. So, there is a lot of wheezing and shortness of breath. This means the virus is not confined to the upper respiratory tract but goes deeper into the lungs, even if it does not develop into pneumonia.
So even if there are no complications such as decreased oxygen saturation levels or conditions requiring hospitalization, patients will need inhalers, nebulisers and in risk-prone cases, even oral steroids.
Many patients suffer a second viral infection, and it occurs within two weeks. That’s because even if your body has antibodies against one type of virus that attacks it, your body is still not immune to another type of virus. Back to back flu means that more than one virus is circulating and you could be susceptible to them.
Decreased immunity due to covid?
Dysregulation of our immune system has been linked to COVID-19, but at the moment this is only a hypothesis. There is no scientific research that proves this. But what is possible is that the body has gotten used to the mask discipline of two years outdoors, which filters out many microbes and pollutants, not just Covid-19.
Now everyone takes off their masks and suddenly there is exposure to the polluted environment and people around us. Our natural defense mechanism doesn’t have enough time to recalibrate itself. Most children are at risk because they not only continue their schooling but also engage in social interactions.
The next vulnerable group is those over 60 years of age with co-morbidities such as COPD, diabetes, asthma and heart disease.
You should consult a doctor within three days of the onset of symptoms. Until then you will have to take paracetamol, anti-allergens and inhale the vapors.
You can do a nasopharyngeal swab test for Covid-19 and flu. Doctors may recommend blood tests such as CBC and CRP.
If you have blood in the sputum, shortness of breath and decreased oxygen saturation levels at the same time, consult a doctor immediately.
Prevention
Please take a flu shot. Make it an annual feature like in the West. Those with chronic illnesses and those over 65 years of age should take pneumonia shots. Work on your immunity, have a good diet and sleep well. Avoid smoking and alcohol if you are at risk.
This article was published on Bisnis.com with the title “Recognize What H3N2 Influenza Is Called More Contagious”
