Doctors in the national capital have reported a rise in flu cases. While people across the country are facing a rise in the cases of viral fever, the surge is steeper in Delhi. According to doctors, the cases are related to the H3N2 variant of the Influenza Virus. Reports also suggest that the lungs of several patients have been seriously affected by the virus.
What is H3N2?
According to data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), cases of H3N2 have been on the rise for the last two-three months. H3N2 is a sub-type of the influenza virus.
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Rise In Influenza Cases Not Normal
Experts are of the view that flu cases at this time of the year are not common. But there are a lot of cases this year.
Symptoms Of Influenza
The first symptoms of the flu are very common to other virals. Some of them are cough, cold and fever. While they might settle in a couple of days, experts suggest that dry cough seems to persist in the cases that have been reported.
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Some other typical symptoms of viral influenza are body aches and headaches after high-grade fever.
Why there is a sudden surge in influenza cases?
According to Harshal R. Salve, Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine, AIIMS, the abrupt “climatic conditions currently prevalent” is one of the main reasons behind the increase in the transmission of the flu virus.
“Serological surveillance through established mechanisms in the public health system by the government is essential to determine the serotype of the virus and its endemic,” Salve told a news agency.
Doctors from Primus Hospital, Chanakyapuri, have reported around 90 per cent patient surge in OPD cases with viral infections.
Expressing concern over the rise in cases, experts said that it reflects how seasonal change can impact the health conditions of people. Apart from the changing weather, pollution has a major role in multiplying the number of patients impacted by viral infections.