The symptoms are more severe in H3N2 than Covid
because most people have received two doses of vaccines of the latter, says
expert.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Mar 20, 2023
19:16 IST
In Short
·
The strain of influenza B seen in India is Victoria, while in
influenza A, H3N2 is very prominent.
·
The typical symptom of the current H3N2 virus is fever, ranging
between 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
·
The treatment for the two viruses also differs in terms of
specific symptoms.
By Daphne Clarance: India is witnessing
severe cases of the influenza virus, simultaneously with a spike in the
incidence of Covid-19. Although the two respiratory viruses have overlapping
symptoms, doctors have shared some differences to recognise signs when a person
gets influenza or Covid-19.
Influenza
occurs in two types A and B. Influenza A, which is currently circulating in
the country, is of two different types - H1N1 and H3N2. Influenza B comes in
two lineages as well - Victoria and Yamagata.
The strain of influenza B seen in
India is the Victoria lineage, while in influenza A, the H3N2 is very
prominent. H1N1 is doing the rounds as well but with fewer cases of incidence,
according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
According
to Dr V Ravi, Virologist and Head of Research and Development, Tata Medical and
Diagnostics, New Delhi, the symptoms are more severe in H3N2 than Covid because
most people have received two doses of vaccines of the latter, which now has
mild ways on influencing.
"The typical symptom of the current
H3N2 virus is fever, ranging between 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit. A very
severe cough is seen while many patients are also experiencing a sore throat or
change in voice. The most severe symptom is difficulty breathing," said Dr
Ravi.
He added that the fever usually lasts for 4 to 5 days. However,
the cough will persist for another week. "This is because the virus
affects the windpipe and bronchioles that produce the cough," he said.
The most prominent difference
between Covid and H3N2 is that it is more contagious and spreads very fast from
human to human because of the nature of the virus, but H3N2, like H1N1, spreads
seasonally, usually during the change of season.
"The
severity of illnesses, however, is almost equal. H3N2 can
also become severe, like pneumonia. In rare cases, a lung transplant might
be needed," as per Dr Chinnadurai R, Lead Consultant - Critical Care,
Aster RV Hospital, Bangalore.
"I think we are going back to the pre-Covid era in which the
H3N2 is dominating," he added.
Dr Chinnadurai said that if a Covid-infected person speaks to
someone, in 10 minutes the virus spreads.
"But in H3N2, it is not likely to spread very fast if two
people are talking. The possibility may be that we could have better immunity
to fight H3N2 because pre-Covid this was part of the seasonal flu," he
said.
Dr Tanu Singhal, Consultant, Paediatrics and Infectious Disease,
Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, said that the two
viruses are usually transmitted through cough droplets that spread for
1 metre or 3 feet. "That's why the risk of transmission is higher in
closed spaces compared to larger spaces," the expert said.
The treatment for the two viruses also differs in terms of
specific symptoms. While in H3N2, anti-fever medication is prescribed, for
Covid, doctors recommend Covid-specific drugs that are newer in the market.
To diagnose the two viruses, an advanced PCR (Polymerase Chain
Reaction) test can be taken. However, it is expensive.
"There is an advanced PCR test that tests for all respiratory
viruses. In this time, we're not just seeing a spread of Covid or flu but other
viruses like Adenovirus and human metapneumovirus(HPV). This advanced PCR test
can see all these kinds of viruses. The only problem is that the tests are very
expensive, ranging between Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000," said Dr Singhal
https://www.indiatoday.in/health/story/rise-in-h3n2-and-covid-19-cases-what-is-the-difference-between-the-two-respiratory-viruses-2349165-2023-03-20
No comments:
Post a Comment