India has recently seen a surge in the H3N2 influenza virus, a subtype of the influenza A virus. The virus presents with symptoms such as fever, cough, diarrhea and vomiting.
The remedy, according to doctors, is ample rest and a healthy diet along with symptomatic treatment. Ensuring hydration during H3N2 infections by drinking water and fluids is a must, they say, as a measure to combat the infection and avoiding dehydration.
Hydration is key during H3N2 infection
“During a fever, the fluid loss from the body is very high,” says Dr Shylaja Shyamsundar, consultant physician, Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital, Girinagar, Bengaluru.
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Fluid loss happens in the form of sweating, diarrhea and vomiting — the typical symptoms of a viral infection, including H3N2.
“We tend to sweat a lot during infections,” says Dr Shylaja. “The higher the body temperature, the greater is the water loss from the body through sweating.”
Sweating is a mechanism by which the body lowers its temperature by inducing a cooling effect.
“When you are dehydrated, you sweat less, causing an inability to dissipate heat from the body,” says Dr Shylaja. “Adequate hydration helps reduce the body temperature during a fever.”
Dr Chhavi Gupta, consultant infectious disease specialist, Fortis Hospital, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, says viral infections like H3N2 can also cause acute gastroenteritis (diarrhea) and vomiting. “These symptoms cause high fluid and salt loss,” she says. “The loss of appetite during an infection may also pose hindrance in people hydrating themselves adequately.”
Keeping hydrated also helps ease upper respiratory symptoms like cough, sneezing and throat irritability.
“Hydration moistens the lining of your throat and nose,” says Dr Shylaja. “Dryness can increase irritability and make these areas more sensitive.”
According to Dr Nikhil Kulkarni, consultant, internal medicine, SL Raheja Hospital – A Fortis Associate, Mahim, Mumbai, dehydration during fevers occurs due to increased metabolism and breathing rate, which causes a loss of moisture.
“When the body temperature rises more than 1° F above the normal human body temperature, the amount of water loss is nearly 2.5ml per kilogram body weight,” says Dr Kulkarni.
Signs of dehydration
He adds that dizziness, headache, tiredness, dry mouth and darkened urine colour are some symptoms of dehydration.
Dr Gupta says that prolonged dehydration can lead to complications such as UTIs (urinary tract infections) and also affect kidney and other organ functions.
The loss of salt can also cause an electrolyte imbalance in the body, weakness and muscle cramps (myalgia).
Ways to stay hydrated during an infection
Dr Gupta advises against drinking sweetened juices and instead recommends drinking plain water. “The high sugar content in fruit juices can meddle with your recovery from the fever,” she says.
She does not recommend consuming high amounts of coconut water, especially among people with a kidney condition, due to its high potassium content.
“Oral rehydration solutions can be taken to compensate for the loss of salt and electrolytes through diarrhea and vomiting,” Dr Gupta says.
Dr Kulkarni also advises against drinking alcohol, coffee and tea as that can aggravate dehydration. He recommends ample rest and avoiding strenuous physical activities.
According to Dr Shylaja, if person is too weak, vomiting and unable to drink adequate fluids, they can get admitted for IV fluids.
Takeaways
- The H3N2 virus presents symptoms like fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
- The body loses fluids and salts during a viral infection due to sweating, diarrhea and vomiting.
- Doctors recommend staying hydrated by drinking water and fluids to combat the infection better.
- Avoid consumption of sugary drinks during infection.
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