H3N2, swine flu, and covid cases are on the rise, so Delhi hospitals are preparing isolation wards and medical staff

The H3N2 influenza virus, swine flu (H1N1), and Covid-19 cases are all on the rise in India, raising serious concerns about viral infection. Viral influenza cases are suddenly increasing in the nation's capital. These cases often cause symptoms like fever, cold, and body aches, and in some cases, they also leave patients with a persistent cough that makes them very weak.

Hospitals in Delhi are preparing by setting up isolation wards, assembling a team of doctors, and stocking up on medications to stop the spread of the H3N2 virus. The LNJP Hospital of the Delhi Government has created an isolation ward with 20 beds in the emergency block for these patients.

COVID, SWINE FLU & H3N2 CASES SPIKE ACROSS COUNTRY

The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), which conducts real-time surveillance, reports that 955 cases of H1N1, also known as swine flu, have been reported by states as of February 28. A Times of India report cited a health ministry report as saying that the majority of H1N1 cases have been reported from Tamil Nadu (545), Maharashtra (170), Gujarat (170), Kerala (42) and Punjab (28).

According to a health official, the number of Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra's Thane district increased by 7 in the previous day, bringing the total to 7,47,594, according to a PTI report. In Delhi, there has been a nearly 150 per cent rise in patients coming to OPDs with symptoms similar to that of the H3N2 influenza virus.

‘CHILDREN TRANSMITTING VIRUS TO THE ELDERLY’

Dr Viny Kantroo, Consultant, Respiratory, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Consultant, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said the outbreak could have been triggered due to seasonal change, mutation of virus and the economy being fully open.

"Children attend school, and they pass it along to the elderly. A lot of cross-country travel is occurring. Covid was the predominant virus over the previous two years, and there were restrictions, but now that the rules are being relaxed and things are returning to normal, outbreaks like these are being seen, in her opinion.

LNJP HOSPITAL IN DELHI IS PREPARED TO HOLD H3N2 CASES

The LNJP Hospital of the Delhi Government has established a 20-bed isolation ward in the emergency block for patients exhibiting H3N2 virus symptoms. In accordance with the ICMR guidelines, we have done so and also stocked up medicines. A 15-doctor team has been constituted to monitor the patients, said a senior doctor. Dr Rajiva Gupta, Senior Consultant - Internal medicine at the CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram and Delhi, said the ILI (Influenza like illness) cases have seen a spike in the last few days.

According to him, there was a 1.5 times increase in patients admitted to OPDs in March compared to the previous month. The symptoms are fever, discomfort, cold, body aches. Patients may also occasionally experience diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even ear fullness.

Dr. Vikas Deswal, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Medanta, Gurugram, spoke about the current strain and added that the influenza virus, which affects our respiratory system most often, comes in three distinct types: A, B, and C.