AIR Spotlight: H3N2 Virus Infection

AIR Spotlight is an insightful program featured daily on the All India Radio News on air. In this program, many eminent panellists discuss issues of importance which can be quite helpful in IAS exam preparation.

This article is about the discussion on: H3N2 Virus Infection.

Participants:  

1. Mr. Rajesh Leekh, AIR correspondent
2. Dr. Raman G. Khedkar, Former Head of Epidemiology, ICMR

Context: There have been rising cases of H3N2 Influenza in the country. 

Historical perspective: 

• There are four types of influenza virus, namely A, B, C and D, however, it’s the A and B types that cause seasonal respiratory illnesses, almost every year. As per IMA, the H3N2 infection usually lasts for 5-7 days and the fever starts going away after 3 days. 
• The H3N2 virus normally circulates in pigs and then infects humans. Viruses that normally circulate in pigs are swine influenza viruses. When these viruses infect humans, they are termed “variant” viruses.

Image: H3N2 VIRUS

SOURCE: zee business

How does it spread: 

• The H3N2 virus spreads from an infected pig to humans through infected droplets released by the pig during a cough or sneeze.
• When the respiratory or cough and sneeze droplets of any infected individual land on the nose or mouth of another healthy individual and the healthy person inhales these droplets the virus enters the body. 
• People who are older than 65 years of age, women who are pregnant, children younger than 5 years and those with long-term health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems, and neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions are at a higher risk of H3N2 infection.

Symptoms: 

• Symptoms of H3N2v infection are similar to those of seasonal flu viruses and can include fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea.

How to take preventive action: 

• The key to stopping the spread of the H3N2 virus is to restrict human-to-human interaction when one starts showing symptoms of infection.
• Avoid making human contact if you see someone with flu symptoms.
• Avoid going outside if you show flu symptoms unless and until it is necessary.
• Take medications when you show flu signs.
• If you are coughing or sneezing cover your nose and mouth with your elbows if you do not have a mask.
• Avoid touching the nose, eyes and mouth without cleaning or sanitizing the hands properly.
• Do not take antibiotics without consulting a doctor. Antibiotics are only effective if the person is suffering from bacterial infection and are not effective against the H3N2 influenza virus.

Read previous AIR Spotlight articles in the link.

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