H3N2 cases rise in India

India has been witnessing a rise in influenza cases

Over the past few weeks, India has been witnessing a rise in influenza cases. Flu cases in the country’s national capital are also witnessing a spike. As per a PTI report, hospitals in New Delhi are witnessing a close to 150 per cent spike in cases of the H3N2 virus. Amid the spike, a fatality is being reported from the country’s financial capital Mumbai. If verified, it will bring the nation’s death toll due to the H3N2 virus to three.

As per doctors, the influenza virus triggers symptoms like fever, cold and body aches, and in some cases causes a persistent cough that can make patients extremely weak. According to a Zee News report, in India, two Influenza ‘A’ type strains are behind this rise in flu cases. H3N2 has emerged as the dominant subtype of flu, it is followed by H1N1.

The nation has already confirmed two deaths due to H3N2, and as per reports, there has been another death.

As per reports, the alleged third death is of a 23-year-old MBBS student. The man, a student at a private institution, is believed to have caught the virus while out with friends. Reportedly, his health deteriorated after coming back from a trip to Alibaug in Konkan. Post Mortem found traces of the H3N2 virus in his blood. However, the fatality is yet to be verified.

Earlier too, there were claims of another fatality. Reports claimed that the death happened in Vadodara, Gujarat.

Of the two previously verified deaths, one was reported from Haryana, the other from Karnataka.

Talking to PTI about the current strain, Dr Vikas Deswal, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Medanta, Gurugram said the influenza virus is the most prevalent virus that affects our respiratory system.

He explained that the virus is present in three different types: A, B, and C.

“Among these, subtype A is the most commonly found. One subtype of the influenza A virus is H3N2, which produces symptoms similar to other flu viruses such as cough, fever, cold, sore throat, fatigue, muscle pain, and respiratory complications, especially in children under two years, the elderly, and those with other medical conditions,” he said.

Deswal caution that the virus can mutate over time and that antibiotics are not effective in its treatment. He recommended that people should follow precautions such as “avoid touching surfaces, wash hands, follow Covid-appropriate behaviour, practice social distancing, wear masks, and avoid going out if experiencing viral symptoms.”

The national public health organisation of the United States, on Friday, issued a warning about the alarming rise of shigella bacteria cases in the country. The Center for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC), in a statement, said that the rise in a strain of the drug-resistant bug is affecting thousands of Americans each other, according to BBC. The shigella bacteria causes fever, diarrhoea and stomach pain. The rise of cases linked to the drug-resistant stomach bug has been noted since 2015, the health officials said.
Since the infection cannot be easily treated with medication, it has led officials to call it a “serious public health threat”.
As per the report, while none of the infections recorded in 2015 were tied to the shigella XDR strain, 5 per cent were linked to it in 2022. In 2019, 1 per cent of the total cases of infection in the US were linked to the strain, which is resistant to five antibiotics that are most commonly used to treat it.
According to the CDC, “Shigella causes an estimated 450,000 infections in the United States each year and an estimated $93 million in direct medical costs.”
WHAT IS SHIGELLA BACTERIA?
Shigella bacteria causes an infection called shigellosis and can spread easily from one person to another. Found in the intestinal tract of infected people, shigella is spread by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with the bacteria. It can also spread via sexual contact and the faecal-oral route as well, the health body said.
The surprising fact is that it takes a small amount of shigella to cause illness. The symptoms, which usually last 5-7 days, include fever, stomach pain, feeling the need to pass stool even when your bowels are empty and diarrhoea.
People who have poor health and weakened immune systems are more likely to get sick for a longer period of time once they get infected by the bacteria.
It is diagnosed when the laboratory identifies shigella in the stool of an ill person. Cases of shigella have been managed through proper hydration and rest. Frequent handwashing in another way to keep yourself safe.

We’re all aware that fruits and vegetables are beneficial for our health. We also know that eating colorful foods multiple times a day is recommended, but were you aware that certain spices also offer numerous health advantages? Take ginger, for instance. Regular consumption of ginger has numerous positive effects on the body.
Ginger: A Powerhouse Spice
Ginger is a strongly flavored spice with an abundance of health benefits. Not only is it delicious, but it also contains gingerol, shogaol, zingiberene, and a plethora of vitamins and minerals, making it no surprise that it has a long history of use as a medicinal herb. For centuries, in fact, ginger was used to treat a variety of ailments. Eating ginger regularly also helps maintain overall body health.
Great Qualities
Ginger contains gingerol, a bioactive substance that reduces symptoms like nausea and vomiting, as well as swollen joints. Furthermore, shogaol in ginger has an analgesic effect and offers protection against cancer and heart disease. Zingiberene, another component of ginger, is particularly beneficial for digestion. Last but not least, ginger also has anti-diabetic properties and improves brain function and the immune system.