Influenza Cases With Severe Symptoms Surge, Centre Issues Advisory: Top Points

ICMR scientists said that the H3N2, which has been in wide circulation for the past two-three months, causes more hospitalizations than other subtypes.

IMA has advised against the indiscriminate use of antibiotics.

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New Delhi: Several states across the country have reported a high number of influenza cases in the last two-three months, with symptoms including a persistent cough, sometimes accompanied by fever.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the cases of fever and flu are due to Influenza A subtype H3N2.

The Centre has issued an advisory suggesting a list of dos and don'ts for people to follow to protect themselves from contracting the flu, which has Covid-like symptoms.

Here's what we know about the rise in flu cases:

• ICMR scientists said that the H3N2, which has been in wide circulation for the past two-three months, causes more hospitalizations than other subtypes.
  
  
• The Indian Medical Association (IMA) said that the fever goes away at the end of three days but the cough can persist for up to three weeks. It has advised against the indiscriminate use of antibiotics.
  
  
• The association also asked doctors to prescribe only symptomatic treatment and not antibiotics. "Right now, people start taking antibiotics like Azithromycin and Amoxiclav etc, that too without caring for done and frequency and stop it once start feeling better. This needs to be stopped as it leads to antibiotic resistance. Whenever there will be a real use of antibiotics, they will not work due to the resistance," the IMA said in a statement.
  
  
• The statement further stated, "It is necessary to diagnose whether the infection is bacterial or not before prescribing antibiotics." The most misused antibiotics are Amoxicillin, Norfloxacin, Oprofloxacin, Ofloxacin, and Levofloxacin. These are being used for the treatment of diarrhoea and UTI, IMA said.
  
  
• The viral cases mostly occur in people aged below 15 and above 50 and cause upper respiratory infections along with fever, the IMA said.
  
  
• The ICMR has issued dos and don'ts for people to protect themselves from infection. The dos include regularly washing hands with soap and water, wearing face masks, avoiding crowded areas and staying hydrated, and consuming plenty of fluids. In case of fever and body ache, the ICMR has advised taking paracetamol.

Fever cases on rise - Avoid Antibiotics pic.twitter.com/WYvXX70iho

— Indian Medical Association (@IMAIndiaOrg) March 3, 2023

• The don'ts include not shaking hands or using other contact-based greetings, and not to self-medicate.