H3N2 Risk in Children: There has been a sudden increase in H3N2 cases in children, which has also led to an increase in hospitalizations.
H3N2 In children: India is seeing an increase in H3N2 cases in all states. Two deaths have also been reported. With the sudden and drastic change in weather conditions, another disease is spreading like wildfire. The influenza virus has experienced a new peak in India and the subtype responsible for the increase in cases is H3N2. People could not even get out of the emotional damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and now it seems that we are on the verge of another season of terrible infection in the country. Now, there is an increase in hospitalization and more and more children are also affected and this is spreading a wave of panic among parents. Schools in Puducherry have also been closed for some time due to rising cases.
H3N2 Risk in Children: Why are children more prone to H3N2?
One of the main reasons that children are more affected by the H3N2 virus is because they are more susceptible to infection due to their weaker immune systems. Children under the age of 5 are particularly at risk, and this is compounded by the fact that they often come into contact with other infected children at school, said Dr. Shilpa Aroskar, Pediatric and Neonatology Consultant at Kokilaben Hospital. Dhirubhai Ambani, Navi Mumbai speaking to India. .com. Many children have also missed seasonal flu shots, leaving them more vulnerable to the virus.
‘Antibiotics have no role…’, says an expert
According to Dr. Aroskar, antibiotics have no role in preventing or treating H3N2, and overuse can contribute to antibiotic resistance. It is essential to consult the pediatrician at the slightest symptom and avoid self-treatment or excessive use of nebulizers.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA), on the other hand, has advised against the indiscriminate use of antibiotics amid rising cases of cough, cold and nausea across the country.
H3N2 risk in children: reason behind the increase in hospitalizations
Most H3N2 symptoms in children present with high fever, chills, cough, and mouth breathing that can last for weeks. This has resulted in an increase in hospitalizations, with more children requiring PICU admission due to complications such as shortness of breath, pneumonia and WALRI (wheezing-associated lower respiratory tract infection) requiring invasive and non-invasive ventilation.
H3n2 virus in India: How does it spread?
H3N2 is a very contagious disease. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) experts have warned the people of the country about the sudden outbreak and its symptoms. An ICMR statement said: “The persistent cough, sometimes accompanied by fever, that has swept through India over the past two to three months is due to influenza A subtype H3N2.”
H3N2 Prevention Tips
- Increase fluid intake
- Get enough rest, get enough sleep
- Eat a nutrient-dense diet
- Maintain good hand hygiene, keep washing your hands
- Take the annual flu shot
- Avoid crowded places
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