Influenza virus in india

By India Today Health Desk: Every second person is experiencing prolonged post-viral cough, breathlessness and sneezing. One person has already died in Karnataka from the H3N2 subtype of the Influenza virus. In North India, flu cases have been reported in the months of January, February and March. According to Dr Sandeep Budhiraja, Group Medical Director, Max Healthcare & Senior Director, Institute of Internal Medicine, the symptoms of "Lots of patients are complaining of persistent cough or bouts of cough which keeps going on for many days, sometimes even for weeks after the flu settles. Normally, we don’t see flu cases in North India in the months of February and March. Till now, we are seeing a lot of cases coming in. Seasonality has extended in most countries,” said Dr Sandeep Budhiraja. Most of these cases are caused by the H3N2 virus, a type of influenza A virus, which is severe, but not as epidemical in nature as the deadly H1N1 virus (swine flu). The virus derives from types of protein strains of the influenza A virus - hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). HA has over 18 different subtypes, each numbered H1 to H18 while NA has 11 different subtypes, each numbered N1 to N11. The H3N2 is a combination of the two protein strains of the influenza A virus. The virus derives from types of protein strains of the influenza A virus - hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). (Photo courtesy: Getty Images) WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF H3N2 VIRUS? The symptoms of the H3N2 ...

India is currently in the H3N2 influenza virus season and the Union government has taken note of the situation. If confirmed to have an H3N2 infection, the Gujarat woman would be the seventh fatality in the country so far in the current viral season, according to India Today. Here we explain what is H3N2 influenza, what are the symptoms, and what's the status in India. What is H3N2 influenza? First things first, the H3N2 influenza is not a new virus and there are tested vaccines and treatment options available. So there is no reason to panic. The influenza virus causes the flu sickness, which leads to respiratory issues. There are four types of influenza viruses named A, B, C, and D. Influenza viruses A, B, and C can infect humans. The H3N2 is a sub-type of Influenza A virus. Healthline notes, "Influenza A viruses are further divided into different subtypes based on two proteins found on the surface of the virus — hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA)." About the reasoning behind its name, Healthline says, "There are 18 different subtypes of HA, which are numbered H1 through H18. Similarly, there are 11 different subtypes of NA, numbered N1 through N11...Influenza A viruses are classified according to both their HA and NA subtypes. Some influenza A sub-types that you may be familiar with include H1N1 (sometimes known as swine flu) and H3N2." While anyone can get infected, older adults and younger children are at a higher risk from H3N2. H3N2 can spread from person to p...

With Karnataka and Haryana reporting one death each of patients suffering from the H3N2 subtype of the influenza A virus, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya held a review meeting to discuss preparedness in view of the rising cases. The Centre on Friday issued an advisory to states. “Government of India is working with States & extending support for public health measures to address the situation,” Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in a tweet. According to data provided by the government, 3,038 cases of influenza have been reported across the country as of March 9 – 1,245 in January, 1,307 in February, and 486 in March. There were 13,202 confirmed cases of influenza in 2022. In Karnataka, Hire Gowda, 82, from Alur taluk in Hassan district, died on March 1. The 82-year-old, who was hypertensive and asthmatic, was admitted to a hospital on February 24 after he complained of cough and cold. Lab reports confirming that he was infected with the H3N2 virus came on March 3, two days after his death. In Haryana’s Jind district, a 56-year-old who was suffering from lung Talking to the media about the state’s preparedness in tackling cases of H3N2 infections, Vij said, “People need not panic. So far, 10 cases of this infection have come to light in Haryana. One patient has died in Jind district, but he was also suffering from lung cancer. Directions have been issued to the health department to ascertain if he died due to lung cancer or the H3N2 infection. State’s health infr...

What Is Flu? Influenza (in-floo-en-zuh), or flu, is a contagious viral infection that can cause mild to severe symptoms and life-threatening complications, including death, even in healthy children and adults. Influenza viruses spread mainly from one individual to another through coughing or sneezing. Less often, they can also spread through touching a contaminated surface and then touching the mouth, eyes, or nose. Individuals can pass flu on to others even before their own symptoms start and for a week or more after symptoms begin. Burden While the numbers vary, in the US, millions of individuals get sick, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized, and tens of thousands die from flu and related complications each year. Flu also affects employers and businesses and costs an estimated $11.2 billion in direct and indirect costs in the US annually. During the 2021-2022 flu season, flu vaccination prevented approximately 9 million flu illnesses, 100,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths. Symptoms Flu is not just a common cold. It usually comes on suddenly, and people with flu may have some or all of the following symptoms (think F.A.C.T.S.): • Fever • Aches (muscle, body, and headaches) • Chills • Tiredness (fatigue) • Sudden onset • Cough, runny or stuffy nose, and/or sore throat • Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults) Prevention The best way to prevent flu is to receive an influenza vaccination every year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (...

We’ve all had several bouts of influenza or the flu, which causes headaches, runny nose, cough and muscle pain. This viral infection is self-limiting, with severe illness lasting for two to three days and most people recovering within a week after using non-prescription medicines for fever and pain. Influenza virus has a quicksilver ability to mutate to evade the body’s immune systems and infect easily.(HT File PHOTO) It’s not considered a serious illness because it rarely causes hospitalisation in healthy people and kills causing complications and co-infections and aggravating existing illnesses. The cause of death is rarely recorded as influenza. It kills up to 650,000 people every year, estimates the World Health Organisation, with most deaths occurring from pneumonia, heart or brain inflammation and circulatory shock from organs not getting enough blood or oxygen. 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of 1918 influenza pandemic popularly known as “Spanish flu”, which infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide — about one-third of the planet’s then population — and killed between 20 million to 50 million people, including in India. The only decade in which India’s population did not register a decadal growth is 1910-1920, according to the Census of India, with experts attributing the reversal in population growth to increased deaths from the flu. Highly Contagious The flu spreads easily among people in close contact or in contained spaces, such as classrooms, offices...

Premium Flu cases rising in India, what is driving the surge? Lots of people seem to be catching the flu these days. While there is indeed an increase in the number of cases, this isn't really unusual, especially at this time of the year. Also, the sub-type H3N2 isn't new. However, like with all viral infections, it is important to take precautions. The Centre last week reviewed the rise in cases of influenza, and states have been readying hospitals for a possible spike in infections. The Union Health Ministry has confirmed a death each in Haryana and Karnataka due to the H3N2 subtype of the flu virus this month. Data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme suggest at least nine people died of the flu in January. Why is there an increase in flu cases? There were 3,038 laboratory confirmed cases of the flu in the country until March 9 this year, show the latest data from the Ministry. This isn’t unusually high; 13,202 cases were reported in all of last year. To be sure, the number is likely an undercount because not everyone tests for the flu and not all test results are reported to the government. Officials and experts said the current spike is because, first, this is the flu season. India usually sees two flu peaks every year — between January and March and, post-monsoon, between August and October. The virus spreads as the season changes. Besides the flu, a spike has been reported in the cases of other respiratory infections such as adenovirus and Second, fewe...

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript. Influenza A (H1N1) continues to be a major public health threat due to possible emergence of a more virulent H1N1 strain resulting from dynamic changes in virus adaptability consequent to functional mutations and antigenic drift in the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) surface proteins. In this study, we describe the genetic and evolutionary characteristics of H1N1 strains that circulated in India over a period of nine years from 2009 to 2017 in relation to global strains. The finding is important from a global perspective since previous phylogenetic studies have suggested that the tropics contributed substantially to the global circulation of influenza viruses. Bayesian phylogenic analysis of HA sequences along with global strains indicated that there is a temporal pattern of H1N1 evolution and clustering of Indian isolates with globally circulating strains. Interestingly, we observed four new amino acid substitutions (S179N, I233T, S181T and I312V) in the HA sequence of H1N1 strains isolated during 2017 and two (S181T and I312V) were found to be unique in Indian isolates. Structurally these two unique mutations could lead to altered gl...

H3N2 in India: Is Influenza A Virus Deadly? Breaking Down Myths And Facts About Infection! H3N2 Virus: The sudden rise in the cold and flue cases has become a major source of concern in India. Cases of constant coughing, fever and Covid-like symptoms are on rise across the country and experts say it may be linked to H3N2 influenza virus A subtype H3N2. But What are the serious signs and symptoms of this infection? What are the immediate precautionary measures we have to take? What are some common myths and facts? Here’s what you should know! • Coughing • runny or stuffy nose • Sore throat • Headache • Aches and pains in the body • Fever • Diarrhea Who is more at Risk? Immunity is one of the major factors when asked, who is more at risk. Everyone, including young, healthy people, can catch the flu. According to experts, people who are more prone to this infection are: Elderly People – above the age of 65 People with underlying co-morbidities People with respiratory issues Pregnant women Young children Myths Vs Facts: Dr Aniket Mule, consultant internal medicine, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road discusses some unknown myths and facts about the H3N2 virus that is spreading contagiously in India. Myth: The influenza virus is little more than a nasty cold Fact: The flu is not the same as a typical cold; it is significantly more dangerous, causing high fever, headaches and body aches, chills, and extreme exhaustion for up to two weeks or more. Flu can potentially cause significant...