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New Delhi: The H3N2 virus (influenza virus) has started wreaking havoc. A woman infected with this virus has died in Vadodara, Gujarat. The woman was 58 years old and was admitted to SSG Hospital in Vadodara. After the woman’s death, the number of people who died of H3N2 virus has now increased to 7 in the country. Deaths from H3N2 virus have been confirmed in Karnataka, Punjab and Haryana before Gujarat. However, sources say that initial investigations have revealed that further investigation is needed to determine the cause of death from H3N2.
Earlier, one death of H3N2 virus was confirmed in Hassan, Karnataka. The deceased patient was identified as H Gowda. He was 82 years old. He was admitted to the hospital on February 24. He died on March 1. After this, their samples were sent for testing. H3N2 was confirmed in the IA report on March 6.
The outbreak of H3N2 influenza has raised concerns across the country. Influenza cases are coming to the fore at a time when the country had recovered from the corona pandemic after 3 years. Children and the elderly are increasingly falling prey to the virus. According to doctors, most of the patients of influenza have similar symptoms. Like cough, throat infection, body ache, watery nose.
Difference between H3N2 and COVID-19
Professor Piyush Ranjan of AIIMS Department of Medicine says that Covid affects the lower respiratory tract. While H3N2 affects the upper respiratory tract. Such as fever, cough, cold, burning sensation in the throat, nose and eyes for a long time. Actually, the symptoms of both are similar and it is spreading rapidly. At the same time, some private hospitals are testing for H3N2, but doctors say that this test is unnecessary and expensive. Because its tests are not being done in government hospitals. While private hospitals are charging up to Rs 6000 for H3N2 test.
