Fighting influenza A H3N2 with flu shots

Following a spike in flu cases with high fever and prolonged cough, linked to Influenza A subtype H3N2 viral infection, experts are suggesting flu shots. The annual influenza vaccination is said to be the most effective way to control the severity and the spread of the infection, as the jabbed persons do not suffer from severe symptoms, even if infected. 

Recently Dr Randeep Guleria, renowned pulmonologist and former director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi reportedly said that the H3N2 also spreads like Covid as it is a respiratory infection spread by droplets. Speaking to the media, he mentioned that the elderly must be careful, use a mask and avoid visiting crowded places. He stressed on the need for influenza vaccination or flu shot.

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Recently the Indian Council of Medical Research  (ICMR) said that the spike in fever cases across the country was linked to Influenza A H3N2 infection which has been spreading since mid-December 2022. As per the recent ICMR finding, typical symptoms of H3N2 viral infection include fever, chills, prolonged cough and sneezing. Among those hospitalised with the H3N2 infection, 92 per cent had a fever, 86 per cent had a cough, 27 per cent suffered from breathlessness and 16 per cent had wheezing.

A nasal swab and throat swab run through a viral panel test confirms the presence of influenza virus.

H3N2 concerns: Flu shot reduces infection severity

Dr KS Satish, pulmonologist from Bengaluru says that the flu vaccine prevents the serious form of infection. “The vaccine is updated every year based on the circulating strain of the virus,” said Dr Satish, “The flu vaccine prevents the serious form of infection. It doesn’t affect a person’s productivity even if infected as it will be a minor infection and prevents hospitalisation. The high risk groups are the elderly and children. Children may pick it up while in school and spread it to their elders at home. Also, pregnant women are more vulnerable to flu,” said Dr Satish. It is the same for people suffering from underlying lung conditions such as asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Speaking to Happiest Health, Dr Nitin Shah, head of pediatrics, PG Hinduja hospital, Mumbai said influenza vaccination should ideally be taken to ensure reducing the severity of the infection. There are two flu seasons. The southern hemisphere flu season (during monsoon) and the northern hemisphere flu season (during winter). In India, only in Tamil Nadu, Kashmir and Puducherry, we follow the vaccine schedule for Northern hemisphere flu season, which is usually given in August, ahead of winter. Rest of the country follows the southern hemisphere flu season and gets the influenza shot around April, he said.

Though the flu season began in October, November of 2022, the fever cases continue even now. It’s never too late to get the flu shot, said Dr Shah, who is also the former president of Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP).

No official recommendation

However, there has been no official recommendation from the government to take annual influenza vaccines, said Dr Shah. “Currently all healthcare workers are taking the flu shot. It is recommended for pregnant women. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics recommends the influenza vaccination for children below the age of five years. Ideally everyone should take the flu shot. I recommend that everyone takes it once a year to prevent serious infection,” Dr Shah said.

Many healthcare workers too missed the influenza vaccination during the pandemic, said Dr Satish, stressing the need to be jabbed against influenza virus. “Based on the cases I have come across in the last two to three months of which some required hospitalisation, I had guessed it was something unusual,” said Dr Satish.

As the predominant virus in the last three years was SARS-CoV2, the influenza virus was laying low, said Dr Satish. “Now that covid has subsided and the flu virus has mutated, it has become the predominant virus, causing atypical presentations such as high fever and prolonged cough. In some cases we have no fever, but prolonged cough, body ache, throat itching,” he said.

Takeaways

Given the spurt in fever cases being linked to the spread of Influenza A subtype H3N2 infection, doctors are suggesting flu shots, saying it’s never too late. As the prolonged flu season has been a concern, the annual jab against influenza is required, doctors said. However, there is no official recommendation by the government to take flu shots. Currently, health care workers, pregnant women and the willing general public are taking it voluntarily.