H3N2
Recently, many major places in all around the world are having a sudden increase in the number of patients infected with the Influenza Virus Subtype H3N2. A sharp rise in H3N2 influenza cases has been reported in India. The doctor’s in India have been instructed by IMA not to prescribe antibiotics to patients suffering from H3N2 Virus but to treat patients symptomatically.
The virus leads to respiratory symptoms including persistent cough and many more. A quick change in weather from extremely cold to warm has been identified as one of the major reasons behind this rapid increase in flu symptoms among people. This virus can also infect birds and mammals.
Symptoms –
Symptoms may appear very fast in patients when they get infected, and the incubation period can be around 24 hours and the patient is likely to have upper respiratory symptoms. In case a person is diabetic, or old and has other such morbidities, they may experience more serious symptoms.
According to many doctors and researchers, severe H3N2 symptoms last only for three days but the coughing problem takes at least more than 2 weeks to completely fade away.
Some of the H3N2 symptoms include –
• Cough
• Fever
• Chills
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sore throat/ throat ache
• Diarrhoea
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
In serious cases, the infected person may experience difficulty in breathing, pain/ discomfort in chest, difficulty in swallowing food and continuous fever.
How to differentiate between flu and Covid?
The only way to differentiate between flu and Covid is by doing a nasal examination to identify the viral antigens. It is important to differentiate between the two as the specific anti-viral medication required for the two were different.
How H3N2 infection spreads?
H3N2 influenza is highly contagious. It can easily transmit from one person to another through infected droplets. Pregnant women, young children, elderly adults, and persons with underlying medical issues are at a higher risk of flu-related complications.
Influenza viruses mostly get into people’s bodies through contact with infected pigs. People who keep pigs in their farms and houses get Infected With H3N2 Virus through droplets created in air when infected pigs cough or sneeze or came into physical contact. When you inhale the same infected air as those pigs, the Influenza virus may enter your body through openings in your outer body like mouth, nose, spore holes, eyes, or ears. A person can also get infected with this virus by coming into contact with an already H3N2 Virus infected person.
Treatment –
Doctors suggest that taking proper rest and drinking lots of fluids, when an individual develop the symptoms can help recover faster. Patients can use painkillers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to lower fever as a part of the H3N2 influenza treatment regimen.
Ayurvedic medicines –
▪︎Take preventive medications such as –
• Swarasa – juice of ocimum (Tulsi); ginger (Adrak)
• Kwatha – Dasamoola Kwatha
• Sitopaladi Churna with Honey
• Sanjeevani Vati, Eladivati, Lakshmivilasa Ras, Tribhuvanakirti Ras, Shwasakuthara Ras and Anandabhairav Ras.
▪︎ To improve the body strength and immunity, it is advised to take chyavanaprasha, Indukantha Ghrita, Brahma Rasayana, Ashwagandhavalehya or Kushmanda Rasayana
▪︎ It is also advisable to do pranayama and Yoga. Anulom Vilom, Bhastrika and Kapalabhati are some of the effective pranayamas.
Home Remedies –
• Simple food like rice or millet porridge and soups are easy on the stomach.
• Sip warm water throughout the day, preferably chukku malli water. This can be made by boiling a litre of water with an inch of dry ginger and a teaspoon of whole coriander seeds. This helps to get rid of headache and sore throat associated with flu.
• You can also gargle with triphala. Just boil two glasses of water with half a teaspoon of triphala powder. Reduce it to a glass, add a pinch of rock salt and gargle with the water.
• Take a tablespoon of ghee and warm it along with a few pieces of cloves. Strain it and drink it. Heating enables the cloves to release its oil in the ghee. This concoction is a natural soother and great to cure sore throat, cough, cold and sinus. It’s safe for children as well as adults.
Precautions –
• Regularly wash your hands with water and soap
• Wear face masks and avoid crowded areas
• Avoid touching your nose and mouth
• Cover your nose and mouth properly while coughing and sneezing.
• Stay hydrated and consume plenty of fluids
• In case of fever and body ache, take paracetamol
• Experts also recommend yearly influenza flu shots for prevention of the flu.
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