HEALTH
Dr Guleria also said that this virus changes slightly every year, so the virus which is H3N2, comes from the family of influenza viruses and influenza viruses, based upon its various subtypes, and it mutates or it changes slightly every year in what is known as antigenic drift.
Noting a spurt in cases of the H3N2 virus, which has become a cause of concern, Chairman, Institute of Internal Medicine and Respiratory and Sleep Medicine and Director of Medical Education, Dr Randeep Guleria said that this virus mutates every year during this time and spreads through droplets.
"So, currently we are seeing an increase in the number of cases of influenza, which is basically presenting fever, sore throat cough, body aches and runny nose history and is a type of influenza virus, which we see every year during this time of the year. But it is a virus with changes over time, it mutates over time and what we call an antigenic drift," said Randeep Guleria.
"We had a pandemic many years ago of H1N1. That circulating strain of that virus is now H3N2 and therefore it is a normal influenza strain. But we are seeing more cases because as the virus mutates a little bit, the immunity that we had against the virus becomes a little less and therefore people who are susceptible tend to get infection more easily," Dr Guleria explained.
"It spreads through droplets. However, I think there is not that much of a cause of concern because although the number of cases increased, hospitalisation has not gone up to a very large extent," he said.
Dr Guleria also said that this virus changes slightly every year, so the virus which is H3N2, comes from the family of influenza viruses and influenza viruses, based upon its various subtypes, and it mutates or it changes slightly every year in what is known as antigenic drift.
"We also see that during this time of the year when the weather changes, there is a higher chance of getting influenza and also because of the fact that we have now come back to a non-COVID state where we are not wearing masks, we`re having a lot of crowding. This is also allowing the virus to spread more easily. And therefore if we need to really prevent yourselves from getting influenza. We need to wear a mask if we’re going to crowded places. We also need to wash our hands frequently and also have physical distancing, if we are a more susceptible population, for influenza also there is a vaccine for the high-risk group and the elderly," he said.
"So in the festive season and we are only just around the corner. I would really say that people should celebrate Holi but they should be careful especially the elderly and those who have underlying comorbid conditions like chronic respiratory diseases, heart problems, patients have kidney problems or dialysis, they need to be careful about going into a crowded place and getting exposure," Dr Guleria said alerting the elderly and people with comorbidities.
READ | ‘Even though Covid has gone down…’: Health Ministry holds meeting with big hospitals, top experts
Jeet Adani, Diva Shah are now married! Here's why their wedding was more than a mere celebration
IIT-BHU student gets highest package of Rs..., average package in 2025 is...
Music composer Anu Malik sells two Mumbai flats in Santacruz West for Rs..., co-owner is...
Jeet Adani and Diva Shah are now married; video of varmala ceremony goes viral, WATCH
Jeet Adani-Diva Shah wedding: Gautam Adani shares first pics of son's wedding, see here
Can Kejriwal win prestige battle? What are the key factors that dominated Delhi assembly polls 2025?
Subhash Ghai makes big investment, buys plush 4BHK apartment in Mumbai for...
Metovalex App Review 2025: Legit Or Scam Trading AI? - Real User Facts!
Deepinder Goyal's Zomato rebranded Eternal: Everyone has the same question
Thief gifts Rs 3cr house to girlfriend, everyone shocked after...
Who is Meghnad S? YouTuber and journalist who contested Delhi assembly polls 2025 from...
Does Sanya Malhotra's 'Mrs' promote a no-marriage culture among women?
BIG blow to Sundar Pichai as Google loses Rs 17501260000000 due to…
Caring for Ageing Parents? Essential tips to manage health, finances, and well-being
Meet Gautam Adani’s daughter-in-law Paridhi Adani: Know about her assets, career, family, and more
Jeet Adani-Diva Shah wedding: Inside pics from Gautam Adani's son's wedding festivity
Why has Premanand Maharaj stopped his morning yatras at 2 am?
Sonu Sood BREAKS SILENCE on arrest warrant against him in fraud case: 'It is sad that celebs...'
Akshata Murty once confronted her father and Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy: 'My real dad is...'
Meet Alexis Wilkins, Trump's FBI chief pick Kash Patel's 'mystery girlfriend,' her profession is...
Fire breaks out at Mahakumbh Nagar camp, officials say no casualties reported so far
Who is Mohini Mohan Datta, mystery man set to get Rs 500 crore through Ratan Tata's will?
Cristiano Ronaldo makes shocking statement, breaks Portugal's hearts: 'I never thought about...'
Ludhiana court issues arrest warrant against Sonu Sood in fraud case
Happy Rose Day 2025: Significance of different coloured roses on Day 1 of Valentine's week
Salman Khan REVEALS why he avoids eating beef and pork: 'Main maanta hu meri maa...'
Shah Rukh Khan-Saif Ali Khan vs Aryan Khan-Ibrahim Khan: Who should be in KHNH2!
Why Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu gifted Donald Trump golden pager? It is a reference to...
Mob in Bangladesh destroys ousted PM Sheikh Hasina's family home
ISRO's EOS-06 satellite captures Phytoplankton concentration on global scale
IND vs ENG: Will Virat Kohli play in 2nd ODI vs England? Shubman Gill provides huge injury update
Who is Kiran Chaudhury? PCS officer caught in bribe case, just 4 years after posting
Jeet Adani-Diva Shah's wedding today: Know venue, gifts for guests and more
Meet woman, who works in Rs 163000 crore company, daughter of Hyderabad’s richest man
This is world's greenest railway station, 170 years old, home to over 7,000 plants, it's in....
As Sky Force nears Rs 150 crore, Nimrat Kaur treats househelp, her kids with movie screening
IND vs ENG: Shreyas Iyer creates history, becomes first player to achieve THIS massive milestone
Meet man, India's richest banker, who has bought Rs 202 crore property, his net worth is Rs...
'Heard there was....': Former India head coach provides major update on Virat Kohli's injury
A New Geopolitical Era: India and Israel's Role in the Evolving Middle East
David Warner’s touching moment with fans after Dubai Capitals reaches final of DP World ILT20
India’s Largest Book Stall Network: PrashantAdvait Foundation’s Mission to Revive Reading Culture
Mawra Hocane stuns in pastel mint green lehenga at her wedding to Ameer Gilani
Deepinder Goyal's Zomato changes its name, CEO shares journey of company, it is now called...
Rose Day 2025: Know the date, history, significance of each rose colour ahead of Valentine's day