Summer is upon us and we transition from sweaters to t-shirts. While some may enjoy shedding the extra layers of clothes, many people feel burdened by the effects of a changing weather.
Summer brings its quota of coughs, fever, runny nose, and throat pain. However, vomiting and diarrhoea, also commonly noticed this year, may be linked to the H3N2 influenza virus, as per a notice issued by the Indian Medical Association on March 3.
IMA states that the infection typically lasts for five to seven days. Although the fever subsides after three days, the cough may linger for as long as three weeks — and also cause sore throat and pain.
“The flu occurring at this time of the year is not new. But this time we are looking at a particular strain called H3N2 which is causing a surge in the cases,” says Dr H K Susheen Dutt, senior consultant and ear, nose and throat specialist, Fortis Hospital, Bengaluru. “H3N2 causes dry cough [without mucus] that stays for long. Continuous coughing can lead to sore throat and pain.” He adds that in March alone so far, his department has received close to 100 such cases.
While this strain is more virulent than the virus causing the common cold but less virulent than the COVID-19 virus, there has not been a surge in hospital admissions at this point. However, the government has raised the guard and advised people to follow the precautions that were advised a few months back for COVID-19, Dr Dutt adds.
Dr Sheela Murali Chakravarthy, director, internal medicine, Fortis Hospital, Bengaluru, says she receives about ten such cases daily. The initial symptoms of H3N2 such as cough, runny nose and fever overlap with those of the common cold — which is making it difficult for doctors to assess the type of infection, she says. However, stringent testing can determine the kind of infection.
The temperature-dehydration link
Dr Dutt suggests that we should keep ourselves adequately hydrated during the warm season. He says summer tends to dehydrate us and so does the flu, making the condition doubly bad.
It can be a vicious cycle of dryness. Dehydration can lead to a dry throat and cough. Coughing itself can further dehydrate the throat, making the throat sore and making us cough more.
A 2020 study published in the Journal of Medical Virology found that dehydration can impair the immune response to influenza virus infection, leading to more severe symptoms and a longer recovery time.
Allergy & cough
On top of the viral load of flu in the body and its effects, the allergens can increase the bouts and the duration of the cough. This, in turn, increases the risk of sore throat. However, different populations are affected by different allergy-causing susbstance. For example, pollen allergies in Bengaluru and bad air quality in Delhi.
The allergen irritates the throat; and one starts coughing as a natural reaction of the body to expel the irritant. This may sometimes be accompanied by mucus.
“Coughing can also contribute to hoarseness of voice by putting additional strain on the larynx (vocal cords) and causing them to become more inflamed,” says Dr Abhishek Vishwakarma, resident doctor, department of pharmacology, All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna. “Repeated coughing can also lead to irritation and further swelling of the larynx.”
Prevention and treatment
Dr Dutt and Dr Chakravarthy suggest a few practical steps to prevent flu – or treat its symptoms which may linger for a long time.
- Avoid exposure to dry and cold weather as sudden temperature help the virus to spread and cause colds. A 2019 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that those exposed to dry air are susceptible to influenza.
- Avoid crowds and social gatherings as they are a sure shot means to spread the infection in the community.
- Without a doctor’s advice, never take antibiotics or medicine (even the over-the- counter category) for cough, runny nose or throat ache.
- Avoid eating outside food; Keep away from people having cough or runny nose.
- Gargle with lukewarm water two or three times a day to hydrate the throat and relieve pain.
- Ensure hydration: frequently sip lukewarm or normal water in case of throat pain.
- Hot milk with a pinch of turmeric can be consumed to relieve cough and throat pain.
- Rest well.
- A flu vaccine is advised for seniors, children and those with a health comorbidity.
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