Telangana: Influenza A virus makes a hits back again

Influenza- A virus
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Influenza- A virus commonly known as Swine flu virus (H1N1) has made a comeback after 3 years. Many cases are being reported not only in Telangana but also across many parts of the country.

According to reports of  Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) surveillance data is being collected through its network of laboratories.

In which the central laboratory of Gandhi Hospital is also included, the influenza A (H1N1) and another subtype A (H3N2) cases have witnessed an increase since December 2022 till this March, 2023 in Telangana. Moreover, the ICMR feels that Influenza A subtype H3N2  is the major cause of rising respiratory illness in India.

Most of the patients have symptoms with fever, cough and pneumonia are visiting nursing homes, clinics and government hospitals. The clinical features of Influenza are A H3N2. According to ICMR, this subtype is the main cause for more hospitalizations than other influenza subtypes. 


As per the reports of ICMR, about 92% of the patients hospitalized with influenza A H3N2, are suffering from fever, 86 per cent from cough, 27 per cent from breathlessness, 16 per cent with wheezing.

Added to that 16 per cent had clinical signs of pneumonia and 6 per cent had seizures. Moreover, 10 per cent of SARI patients needed oxygen and around 7 per cent required ICU care.

The ICMR surveillance data indicates a rise in influenza infections. There’s a rise in cases of Influenza A (H1N1) and (H3N2) since December 15. Main symptoms are persistent cough, fever, body aches, symptoms of pneumonia like chest pain etc. Almost all such cases were self-limiting and patients recovered.