By Simran Keswani

Copyright india

The health situation in Delhi-NCR is of great concern as a flu-like illness has been spreading rapidly in recent months. 7 out of 10 households are witnessing at least one person being affected in the family. Hospitals are also seeing a rise in reports of high fever cough and body aches lasting longer than usual. As per the survey this sudden surge is the H3N2 virus a subtype of Influenza A which is now under close watch by doctors and health experts.
What is H3N2?
H3N2 is a strain of the influenza A virus identified by the proteins on its surface hemagglutinin-3 (H3) and neuraminidase-2 (N2). This virus is also responsible for seasonal flu; however due to its frequent mutation it becomes harder to predict and control. This constant change is also the reason why this infection can return in new waves some with stronger symptoms or a higher spreading speed.
Symptoms of H3N2
The most common symptoms of this infection are high fever chills and a sore throat. Other common signs include:
•Persistent cough
•Severe headache and extreme fatigue
•Blocked nose and body pain
•In some cases children may also experience vomiting or diarrhea.
Normally these symptoms stay for 5–7 days. However in the current wave many patients are experiencing cough and weakness lasting more than 10 days making recovery slower than expected.
Who is at greater risk?
As per the doctor people who are at greater risk of this flu are children the elderly pregnant women and those with pre-existing health conditions such as asthma diabetes or heart disease. For these groups complications can be higher and hospitalisation may sometimes be required.
Treatment and when to see a doctor
While treatment for this flu is similar to any seasonal flu which is to recover with rest adequate fluids and mild medications at home. However if the fever persists longer or there are symptoms of difficulty breathing or chest pain one should immediately seek medical help. In some cases doctors may prescribe antiviral medicines like Oseltamivir provided treatment begins at the right time.
Prevention of this flu
Taking these precautions can limit people from getting affected by this flu:
•Washing hands frequently
•Wearing masks in crowded places
•Ensuring good ventilation at home
•Getting an annual flu vaccine especially for high-risk individuals
By maintaining these preventive steps and seeking timely treatment the spread and severity of H3N2 can be controlled.