H3N2 virus scare
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 11: Amid a spurt in cases of the H3N2 virus, which has become a cause of concern in throughout the country, Health experts said that there is no need to panic and people just need to take precautions and maintain their hygiene.
As per Health experts, the H3N2 virus is not new. It is a common virus from Influenza family but this year, this Influenza virus has taken monstrous form, the reason being decreased immunity of people due to increased use of face masks and hand sanitizers during two years of Covid period.
However, experts said that that there is no need to panic as there is negligible hospitalization due to this H3N2 virus infection and within 7-15 days, patients affected with it recover on their own and there is no need to take antibiotics. Regarding symptoms, they said a person infected with H3N2 virus shows symptoms like sore throat, running nose, mild fever, body aches, cough and in some cases diarrhea.
Dr Rakesh Dhar, Senior Consultant Physician, Chest Disease Hospital, Jammu, said, “For last two months, rise in patients with H3N2 symptoms have been witnessed in OPDs but in last 15 days, the inflow of such cases in OPDs have decreased and I think the peak of this H3N2 virus has already passed.” He attributed increase in H3N2 cases to festival season and lowering of guard by the citizens.
Stating that many people are taking antibiotic pills on their own, Dr Rakesh Dhar said it is not right to take medicine without a doctor’s advice and to take antibiotics unnecessarily. He said medicines need to be given based on symptoms. He said that spread of infection can be prevented through measures such as maintaining hygiene and avoiding crowded places.
“H3N2 virus is not deadly but elderly people with severe co morbidities are always at risk and therefore, they need to take utmost precautions and avoided crowded places,” said Dr Fayaz Ahmed Wani (Professor and Head, Department of Medicine, GMC Jammu). He said one can take Paracetamol for fever but antibiotics should be avoided without taking expert advice. Dr Wani said while there is no need to panic yet, it is advisable to take precautions similar to those taken during Covid times.
Dr Sandeep Dogra (Professor, Department of Microbiology, GMC Jammu) said, “H3N2 virus comes from a family of influenza viruses which mutates depending upon its various subtypes. The virus mutates or changes slightly every year, in what is known as antigenic drift.” He said that lockdowns and extensive use of masks for extended periods of time helped control transmission of more virulent versions of the virus, but also prevented good exposure of regular seasonal respiratory viruses.
“There is a rise in cases because the virus mutated and people’s immunity against it has become reduced due to at least two years of extensive use of masks,” he maintained. Dr Dogra said the ways to prevent ourselves from this H3N2 virus is wearing masks in crowded places, wash our hands frequently and have physical distancing. He said high-risk groups and the elderly people can also go for Influenza vaccines.
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