Jaipur: While the Centre has alerted states on H3N2 influenza virus, doctors at the Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital here are reporting cases with symptoms of influenza-like illness (ILI).
“Patients with upper respiratory infections, that is, influenza-like-illness, are coming to OPDs and clinics. Because of change in weather and unseasonal rain, there is surge in respiratory viral illnesses,” said Dr Puneet Saxena, senior professor (medicine), at SMS hospital.
A lot of patients reaching hospitals are complaining of persistent cough, lasting for weeks, even after recovering from fever and other ILI symptoms.
“The H3N2 is an antigenic drift and a mild mutation in the influenza virus. Usually, the illness lasts for five to seven days and the fever starts going away after three days. However, the coughing can persist for up to 3-4 weeks. Self-hygiene is the best way to prevent the spread of H3N2,” said Dr K K Sharma, head of department (pulmonary & sleep medicine), at a private hospital here.
“Patients with upper respiratory infections, that is, influenza-like-illness, are coming to OPDs and clinics. Because of change in weather and unseasonal rain, there is surge in respiratory viral illnesses,” said Dr Puneet Saxena, senior professor (medicine), at SMS hospital.
A lot of patients reaching hospitals are complaining of persistent cough, lasting for weeks, even after recovering from fever and other ILI symptoms.
“The H3N2 is an antigenic drift and a mild mutation in the influenza virus. Usually, the illness lasts for five to seven days and the fever starts going away after three days. However, the coughing can persist for up to 3-4 weeks. Self-hygiene is the best way to prevent the spread of H3N2,” said Dr K K Sharma, head of department (pulmonary & sleep medicine), at a private hospital here.
