21May

Mask fatigue – no trace, because medical masks help

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PPE Germany GmbH – Medical Mask help

Mask fatigue refers to the feeling of fatigue, frustration or rejection towards the use of face masks as protection. Contributing to responsible action – in conversation with Max Leber, Managing Director of PPE Germany GmbH from Berlin, Germany.

It may sound simple, but masks help. Simple, but an effective measure that can make a big difference in fighting infectious diseases. That’s the finding of the scientific support, according to Max Leber, managing director of PPE Germany GmbH, a renowned mask producer from Germany.

The world struggled with the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the importance of taking precautions to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. One key measure that has gained a lot of attention recently is the wearing of medical masks. Medical masks have been found to play a critical role in curbing the transmission of respiratory infections such as COVID-19.

Gold standard of efficacy verification

During and after the pandemic, many countries and different institutions have attempted to scientifically verify the effectiveness of masks. Summaries of research findings at the global level have also been important. The Cochrane Collaboration is an international organization dedicated to promoting evidence-based medicine. Max Leber: „This organization produces systematic reviews on various medical topics and makes them publicly available in the Cochrane Library. A Cochrane review is an important source for making medical decisions based on reliable and up-to-date scientific evidence.“ Famous individual studies, for example, looked at the Hajj pilgrims in Mecca, who had very close contact during Muslim pilgrimages. A famous study in Germany in 2009 because of swine flu established the effectiveness of mask-wearing.

Effectiveness of mask-wearing scientifically confirmed

It is clear from laboratory studies, many of which were conducted during the pandemic, that mask-wearing helps. These show that masks, especially FFP2 masks, can block virus particles. For example, Japan, which prioritized mask-wearing and mitigating airborne transmission, had a remarkably low mortality rate in 2020. So, too, did the U.S. find that masks help. A Harvard University teaching hospital had a doubling of the infection rate among healthcare workers every 3.6 days before masks became mandatory. That rate dropped significantly after the mask requirement was implemented. In spring 2020, 401 regions in Germany implemented mandatory masks at different times over a three-month period. By carefully comparing otherwise similar locations before and after mandatory masks, researchers concluded that „face masks reduce the daily growth rate of reported infections by about 47 percent,“ with the effect being more pronounced in large cities and among the elderly.

Consistently wearing a mask, preferably a high-quality, well-fitting one, protects against coronavirus

At the same time, frustration with organizational deficiencies increased during the pandemic. Mask wearing was sometimes uncomfortable or illogically organized. Requiring masks outdoors and even on beaches, or requiring masks to be worn when entering a restaurant but not at the table, or requiring children as young as 2 to wear masks at daycare but not during lunch. Masks are a tool, not a talisman or miracle cure. They do play a role when used appropriately and consistently at the right time. Max Weber comments: „We at PPE Germany GmbH supply masks with a high standard of quality and wearing comfort to ensure that protective measures are adhered to. The human factor is crucial for success“. PPE Germany GmbH produces FFP2 masks in Germany. These masks provide a high level of protection against harmful particles and are certified to meet safety standards. The company has a specialized team dedicated to the production of these masks and uses fully automated production lines to manufacture approximately ten million masks per week in Berlin. PPE Germany GmbH is particularly proud of the „Dodo Air Medical“ mask model because of its high filtering performance and low breathing resistance.

V.i.S.d.P.:

Viktoria

Blogger

Viktoria successfully studied Health Economics with a specialization in Hospital and Pharmacy Management. Her interests relate to nutritional sciences, public health and digital development in the healthcare industry. The blog akopjan-health.de offers numerous topics around health and corporate health management. In the field of human resources development, she is gaining experience for change in digital transformation. You can reach us at abowi.com.

PPE Germany GmbH based in Berlin are specialists in respiratory protection made in Germany. PPE Germany is one of the major European mask producers for high-quality FFP2 masks and started production in 2020 to ensure that the population is supplied with protective equipment. PPE Germany protects the health of people who have to work and live in complicated air conditions, for example through viral contamination, hospital germ contamination, bacterial contamination, dust, fibers (e.g. from mineral wool), industrial exhaust gases, fine dust. All PPE Germany products are certified and are subject to the strictest test standards.

company contact
PPE Germany GmbH
Max Leber
Mertensstrasse 63-115
13587 Berlin
+49 30 202366380
c777afba5ac0a0aa69e5915ac4e763fe8880da7d

Press contact
PPE Germany GmbH
Max Leber
Mertensstrasse 63-115
13587 Berlin
+49 30 202366380
c777afba5ac0a0aa69e5915ac4e763fe8880da7d

WHO says COVID-19 emergency is over. So what does that mean?

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LONDON— The World Health Organization downgraded its assessment of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday, saying it no longer qualifies as a global emergency. The action reverses a declaration that was first made on January 30, 2020, when the disease had not even been named COVID-19 and when there were no major outbreaks beyond China.

A look at what WHO's decision means:

WHY END THE GLOBAL HEALTH EMERGENCY?

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the pandemic has been “on a downward trend for more than a year, with population immunity increasing from vaccination and infection." That, he said, has allowed most countries “to return to life as we knew it before COVID-19,” meaning that the worst part of the pandemic is over.

Tedros said that for the past year, WHO and its emergency committee experts have been analyzing COVID-19 data to decide when the time would be right to lower its level of alarm. On Thursday, the experts recommended to Tedros that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency and the WHO chief said he accepted that advice.

WHAT ARE THE PRACTICAL EFFECTS?

For the average person, nothing. The classification of a health threat as a global emergency is meant to warn political authorities that there is an “extraordinary” event that could constitute a health threat to other countries and requires a coordinated response to contain it. WHO's emergency declarations are typically used as an international SOS for countries who need help. They can also spur countries to introduce special measures to combat disease or release extra funds.

Many countries, including Britain, France, Germany and the U.S., have long dropped many of their pandemic-era restrictions. The U.S. is ending its national health emergency next Thursday.

IS COVID-19 STILL A PANDEMIC?

Yes. Although WHO chief Tedros said the coronavirus emergency was over, he warned that the virus is here to stay and that thousands of people continue to die every week. “The risk remains of new variants emerging that cause new surges in cases and deaths,” Tedros said. “What this news means is that it's time for countries to transition from emergency mode to managing COVID-19 alongside other infectious diseases."

In April, there were nearly 3 million cases and more than 17,000 deaths reported, including spikes in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, the United Nations agency noted.

SO WHEN WILL THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC END?

It's unclear. WHO emergencies chief Dr. Michael Ryan said the coronavirus is still a public health threat and that its continued evolution could yet cause future problems. “It took decades...for the pandemic virus of 1918 to disappear,” he said, referring to the Spanish flu that is thought to have killed at least 40 million people.

“Pandemics only truly end when the next pandemic begins,” he said. Ryan said that while COVID-19 will continue to spread among people for a very long time, it is doing so at a much lower level of threat that does not require the extraordinary measures taken to try to curb the virus' spread.

WHAT ELSE HAS BEEN DECLARED AN EMERGENCY?

WHO has previously declared global emergencies for outbreaks of swine flu, Zika, Ebola, polio and mpox, formerly called monkeypox. Polio was declared nearly nine years ago. Its emergency status has persisted even as officials work to wipe out the disease from a shrinking number of countries.

Last July, WHO chief Tedros declared the explosive spread of mpox to dozens of countries to be a global emergency, overruling the emergency committee he had convened to assess the situation. The disease peaked in Europe and North America shortly after, but technically remains a global emergency.

DO WE STILL NEED TO TAKE COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS?

Yes. Health officials say the virus isn't going anywhere and advise people to get vaccinated, including getting booster doses if they qualify. Although many of the measures seen at the height of the pandemic — including masks and social distancing — aren't required except in certain settings, like hospitals or nursing homes, officials say people with other health conditions or compromised immune systems may still want to continue with some of those precautions.

Unlike in the early years of COVID-19, high immunization levels, both from vaccination and previous infection, have helped dramatically reduce disease spread.

Simon Clarke, an associate professor of microbiology at Britain's University of Reading, warned against people dropping all COVID-19 protections.

“The message to the public should still be to take care and think of others. If you’re ill with a respiratory infection, like a bad cough, don’t put others at risk, especially not those who are vulnerable,” he said. “If you pass on a COVID infection, no one will thank you. If you're fit and young, COVID can still be nasty and if you're old and frail, it can kill you.”

____

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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Tags: coronavirus covid19 respiratory swine flu

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5May

WHO says COVID emergency is over. So what does that mean?

Posted by: admin Categories: PULMONARY DISEASES

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LONDON – The World Health Organization downgraded its assessment of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday, saying it no longer qualifies as a global emergency. The action reverses a declaration that was first made on January 30, 2020, when the disease had not even been named COVID-19 and when there were no major outbreaks beyond China.

A look at what WHO's decision means:

WHY END THE GLOBAL HEALTH EMERGENCY?

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the pandemic has been “on a downward trend for more than a year, with population immunity increasing from vaccination and infection." That, he said, has allowed most countries “to return to life as we knew it before COVID-19,” meaning that the worst part of the pandemic is over.

Tedros said that for the past year, WHO and its emergency committee experts have been analyzing COVID-19 data to decide when the time would be right to lower its level of alarm. On Thursday, the experts recommended to Tedros that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency and the WHO chief said he accepted that advice.

WHAT ARE THE PRACTICAL EFFECTS?

For the average person, nothing. The classification of a health threat as a global emergency is meant to warn political authorities that there is an “extraordinary” event that could constitute a health threat to other countries and requires a coordinated response to contain it. WHO's emergency declarations are typically used as an international SOS for countries who need help. They can also spur countries to introduce special measures to combat disease or release extra funds.

Many countries, including Britain, France, Germany and the U.S., have long dropped many of their pandemic-era restrictions. The U.S. is ending its national health emergency next Thursday.

IS COVID-19 STILL A PANDEMIC?

Yes. Although WHO chief Tedros said the coronavirus emergency was over, he warned that the virus is here to stay and that thousands of people continue to die every week. “The risk remains of new variants emerging that cause new surges in cases and deaths,” Tedros said. “What this news means is that it's time for countries to transition from emergency mode to managing COVID-19 alongside other infectious diseases."

In April, there were nearly 3 million cases and more than 17,000 deaths reported, including spikes in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, the United Nations agency noted.

SO WHEN WILL THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC END?

It's unclear. WHO emergencies chief Dr. Michael Ryan said the coronavirus is still a public health threat and that its continued evolution could yet cause future problems. “It took decades...for the pandemic virus of 1918 to disappear,” he said, referring to the Spanish flu that is thought to have killed at least 40 million people.

“Pandemics only truly end when the next pandemic begins,” he said. Ryan said that while COVID-19 will continue to spread among people for a very long time, it is doing so at a much lower level of threat that does not require the extraordinary measures taken to try to curb the virus' spread.

WHAT ELSE HAS BEEN DECLARED AN EMERGENCY?

WHO has previously declared global emergencies for outbreaks of swine flu, Zika, Ebola, polio and mpox, formerly called monkeypox. Polio was declared nearly nine years ago. Its emergency status has persisted even as officials work to wipe out the disease from a shrinking number of countries.

Last July, WHO chief Tedros declared the explosive spread of mpox to dozens of countries to be a global emergency, overruling the emergency committee he had convened to assess the situation. The disease peaked in Europe and North America shortly after, but technically remains a global emergency.

DO WE STILL NEED TO TAKE COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS?

Yes. Health officials say the virus isn't going anywhere and advise people to get vaccinated, including getting booster doses if they qualify. Although many of the measures seen at the height of the pandemic — including masks and social distancing — aren't required except in certain settings, like hospitals or nursing homes, officials say people with other health conditions or compromised immune systems may still want to continue with some of those precautions.

Unlike in the early years of COVID-19, high immunization levels, both from vaccination and previous infection, have helped dramatically reduce disease spread.

Simon Clarke, an associate professor of microbiology at Britain's University of Reading, warned against people dropping all COVID-19 protections.

“The message to the public should still be to take care and think of others. If you’re ill with a respiratory infection, like a bad cough, don’t put others at risk, especially not those who are vulnerable,” he said. “If you pass on a COVID infection, no one will thank you. If you're fit and young, COVID can still be nasty and if you're old and frail, it can kill you.”

____

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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Tags: coronavirus covid19 respiratory swine flu

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24Apr

This Cow and Pig Influenza Virus Could Infect Humans: What We Know So Far

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Influenza D, a relatively recent addition to the alphabet of flu viruses, most commonly infects cattle. But experts have their eye on the threat it could potentially pose to humans.

Veterinarians first identified influenza D in pigs in 2011 and later sleuthed out the virus’s primary host: cattle. Scientists have since been watching for any signs that this bovine flu is infecting humans, as flus from birds and pigs sometimes do. There’s currently no definitive proof, but there are worrying hints that human infection is possible—and that if luck favored the virus on a couple key fronts, it could begin spreading among people.

“I think it’s fair to say that influenza D has everything it needs to infect humans from a scientific standpoint,” says Feng Li, a virologist at the University of Kentucky, who helped identify the virus as a new type of influenza.

Scientists have identified four different types of influenza virus, most of which infect humans. The flu vaccines distributed in the U.S. each fall are tuned to two strains each of influenza A and B. Influenza C is very common but typically mild, except for some cases in infants, and there is no vaccine for it. Influenza D is the most recently identified type and the only one that has not been confirmed to infect humans.

Influenza D is believed to be most prevalent in cattle. A nationwide survey in 2014 and 2015 showed that about 75 percent of the animals carried antibodies to the virus. It seems to cause only mild bovine infection, says Mayara Maggioli, a veterinary immunologist at Oklahoma State University. “It’s a very subtle disease,” she says. “It’s very well adapted.” Infected cattle can have symptoms that aren’t so different from the flu we all know: runny noses or eyes, increased heart and breathing rates and a fever, cough or reduced appetite. “It’s very similar to what we see in humans,” Maggioli says. Experiments have shown that inoculation can protect cattle from infection, but there is no commercially available vaccine for them.

Whether humans can be infected with influenza D is less clear. “There’s evidence out there that suggests it might be happening, but it’s far from conclusive,” says Richard Webby, a virologist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Tennessee. “The data that’s out there could go either way.” NPR reported on the virus’s potential to jump to humans last month.

Influenza D has scientists particularly concerned for people who spend long hours in close contact with cattle, especially in confined spaces. And recent research has found hints of the virus in this population. A 2022 study found viral particles on nasal swabs from cattle workers, but viruses can be present without actively infecting a person. A 2016 study found that cattle workers carried antibodies that reacted to influenza D, but influenza C is similar enough that antibodies for the latter can respond to the former as well, Webby says.

Although scientists have plenty of experience monitoring potential influenza spillover from animals, those efforts have focused on birds and pigs—not cattle. That’s because avian and swine influenzas have caused pandemics in humans, including the 1918 flu pandemic, which was caused by a virus that originated in birds, and the 2009 swine flu pandemic. Bovine viruses, as far as scientists know, have never wreaked such havoc. An avian influenza recently infected nearly 60 million poultry birds in the U.S. but has only infected one human, and no cases have been reported in humans in the U.S. since April 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“From the flu perspective, certainly cows have never really been thought about in studies of spillover,” Webby says, although he notes that some groups are starting to investigate human-cattle interactions more closely. “It’s definitely an understudied interface. We absolutely need to know more about it.”

If influenza D were to start infecting humans, the first sign would likely be respiratory symptoms in cattle industry workers—and even the studies that show potential human immune reactions to the virus haven’t documented any sick workers. The second key piece of information would be if people with no direct interaction with cattle began to get sick, which would suggest the virus was spreading among humans.

Even if those two developments occurred, it’s not certain that influenza D would be disastrous among humans, especially given its relatively benign effects on cattle. “In a human, I think probably, disease-wise, it should be mild,” Li says. But “as we all know, Mother Nature cannot be predicted.”

All three experts Scientific American spoke with say there’s no guarantee the virus won’t eventually start infecting humans. “We’ve absolutely got to treat it with respect. We’ve absolutely got to learn more about it,” Webby says. “You can’t say there’s no risk of this virus at all. I think that would be a naive statement.”

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Tags: breathing influenza respiratory swine flu

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21Apr

Doctors cite rain, night temperature fluctuations for respiratory infections in summer in Pune | Pune News

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PUNE: Respiratory infections are continuing unabated in the city this summer, the season in which such cases usually dip. Doctors and hospitals attributed the trend to frequent rain and fluctuation in temperatures. Pollution could play a role, too.
Dr Sandeep Karmarkar, consultant ENT surgeon at Ruby Hall Clinic, said, "Respiratory infections are more common in winters. But this year, these infections are continuing even in summer. Since January 23, Pune has been facing a multitude of viral infections, including Covid, swine flu, H3N2 and Influenza B. These have made people's respiratory system hypersensitive, causing recurrent minor infections and allergies. A hallmark of these infections is a chronic persistent cough."
Dr Karmarkar said the daily fluctuation in temperatures had played a role in triggering recurrent allergies and infections. "Strong heat in the afternoon, followed by thunderstorms in the evening has created an environment conducive to the growth and spread of respiratory viruses," he added.
Dr Mahesh Kumar Manohar Lakhe, infectious disease specialist at Sahyadri Hospitals, said: "We are currently seeing a lot of people with Influenza B, including very sick patients with associated complications like myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart muscle, and hepatitis. Summer is when such respiratory infections reduce, but untimely rain may have something to do with the slight rise in such cases."
Dr Lakhe said initially there was a spate of adenovirus cases this year, which gave way to Influenza A and H1N1. Now, doctors were seeing more of Influenza B and Covid cases, he added.
Dr Piyush Chaudhari, infectious diseases specialist at Jehangir Hospital, Pune, told TOI, "Weather is a factor in the increase in upper respiratory infections this summer. There have been sudden variations in the weather, including increase in the frequency of cloudy weather and rain. The population, including children, have not been very exposed to seasonal viruses last two-three years because of the Covid pandemic. Now, the sudden exposure in a low-mask-and-sanitisation-compliance scenario is also making people catch these infections easily." Dr Chaudhari said many people were getting recurrent cold/cough for the past six months.
Dr RK Chopra, senior consultant of chest medicine at Ruby Hall Clinic, said the sudden rise in night temperatures over the past week was the most important factor for the surge in respiratory infections, particularly in elderly patients with comorbidities.
"Summers in Pune generally have fewer respiratory infections, but air pollution could be a contributing factor. There have been large variations in night temperatures with a sudden shift to warmer nights. People have been unable to adapt to this change, making them vulnerable to various types of respiratory infections, such as different types of influenza - Type A, Type B. These infections present with flu-like symptoms of fever with chills, cold, dry cough and breathing difficulties in some," he said.

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10Apr

Attention Corona scare in Bihar, increased risk of H3N2 Influenza virus… You will be surprised to know the reason

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Patna: With the number of active cases of coronavirus reaching 76 in Bihar on Saturday, the increasing cases of Covid-19 are becoming frightening. The authorities have registered 20 new cases in the last 24 hours. Apart from the danger of H3N2 influenza virus in hospitals, side effects of corona are also visible. Gaya district on Friday recorded the first death due to Covid infection in Bihar this year. A 70-year-old patient, who was admitted to Anugraha Narayan Magadh Medical Hospital three days ago with breathing problem, died on Friday night. Symptoms of shortness of breath are coming out in most of the cases in Bihar.

Problems with excessive use of mobile phones

Superintendent of Patna’s New Gardener Road Government Hospital, Dr. Manoj Kumar Sinha said, after the first phase of Corona, we have seen shortness of breath, heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, insomnia, skin diseases, itching, eyesight. Have seen many diseases like deficiency. People of all ages are suffering from such diseases. Sinha said, during Covid, people’s dependence on electronic gadgets has increased in the country. He has used mobile phone excessively, due to which his eyesight has become weak. A large number of people also used steroid medicines, which is causing health complications.

If you want to read latest and quality news related to Rajdhani Patna district on your WhatsApp, please click here.

‘Need to do physical exercise’

He said that people need to do some physical exercise, walk for at least half an hour, interact with people and create a healthy environment around them. Bihar’s health department is also struggling with the shortage of vaccines. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has also accepted this. He has demanded that the central government should supply the corona vaccine to Bihar. Kumar said on Friday, Bihar’s hospitals have run out of vaccines since last one week. Center needs to provide vaccines to Bihar at the earliest. He said, the investigation of corona is going on every day. The average testing for every 10 lakh population in the country is 6 lakhs, but the average testing in Bihar is 8 lakhs, we did not stop testing when there were no corona cases in Bihar. Now the cases are increasing so the health department is in alert mode.

Ghaziabad Corona: People reached for booster dose when corona increased, returned if vaccine was not found… 17 new cases in Ghaziabad

Problems due to not getting vaccinated

According to an official, the people of Bihar are in a relaxed mode after the intensity of the infection has reduced. A large number of people have not taken the first, second or booster dose. As a result, 15,000 vaccines expired in March this year. According to the World Health Organization and the Indian Council of Medical Research, vaccines have the potential to slow down the pace of infection in patients. The Bihar government has demanded 1 lakh vaccines from the Center. Additional Chief Secretary, Health Department, Pratyay Amrit said, Bihar’s health department is appealing people to avoid unnecessarily going to crowded places. People should also follow Covid protocol and wear masks while going to hospitals. Apart from Corona, the fear of H3N2 influenza has also started looming large. H3N2 influenza is a variant of swine flu (H1N1) and some cases of the disease have been reported in Bihar.

Covid vaccine finished in Bihar, Nitish Kumar requested the central government to provide stock

The risk of H3N2 also increased

The symptoms of H3N2 are similar to those of swine flu with people having high fever, chills and cough. The Health Department has claimed to have made concrete arrangements in Patna to deal with H3N2 Influenza and Swine Flu. 20 beds have been reserved in Patna Medical College and Hospital and 30 beds in Patna AIIMS. Besides this, there are also dedicated isolation wards at Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, Sadar Hospital, Kurji Holy Family and other leading government and private hospitals. Health officials have instructed government and private hospitals to get every patient with cold and cough tested and submit the report to the civil surgeon’s office.

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9Apr

Influenza in children: Here’s how to protect kids from H3N2

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According to doctors, cases of H3N2 flu infections among children below the age of 5 are on the rise. H3N2 is a variant of influenza, a virus that is a significant cause of human influenza. Now as Covid-19 cases are rising in India, there is a surge in the number of children complaining of fever, cough and cold. The majority of them complain of a chronic cough that can continue up to three weeks, as well as very high fevers that last for one to two days and not even responding to paracetamol. With these complaints, quite a large number of children are also experiencing loose motions. In children, H3N2 can cause major complications and takes a little longer to recover. This may even result in respiratory infections or pneumonia, which may necessitate hospitalization and even mortality in severe cases.

Is this a new strain?

India is seeing a surge in H3N2 cases. According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) records, upto 50 per cent of all hospitalizations due to respiratory illnesses is because of the H3N2 strain of the Type A Influenza virus. Influenza is a common respiratory illness caused by the Influenza virus of which there are several types A, B, C, and D. The swine flu H1N1 and the most commonly circulating strain this year H3N2, are common types of Type A influenza and they have been in circulation for a while now.

A unique feature of this virus is its ability to undergo minor gradual mutations as well as sudden drastic mutations. This gives the virus the ability to continuously wreak havoc on public health.

The influenza virus has been responsible for several dreadful and worse pandemics in the past, just like the Covid-19 pandemic. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately 5-20 per cent of the US population is infected by the flu each year, resulting in over 2 lakh hospitalizations and thousands of fatalities, making it a persistently serious public health issue in the country. It is advised that children, the elderly, and some high-risk groups have routine vaccines against the seasonal flu because India experiences an increase in cases during the rainy or winter months.

H3N2 in India

India is experiencing a sharp increase in H3N2 cases this year, far exceeding the usual annual prevalence rates. Many states, including Delhi, Gujrat, Haryana, Odisha, and Maharashtra, have released a public health advisory.

Influenza in children — The H3N2 virus is spreading in India. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

Nonetheless, not all are H3N2. Most often rhinovirus is the common cold infection that causes minor symptoms like runny nose and sneezing. The H1N1 type A influenza virus, adenovirus, and more recently SARS-CoV 2 (Covid-19) are the third most prevalent viruses among hospitalized cases of respiratory disease. It should be kept in mind that there are few viral testing facilities available and that published data only represent a small portion of the total.

How do you know whether your child has H3N2?

Unfortunately, H3N2 lacks pathognomonic signs and symptoms. It is far more difficult to differentiate between the symptoms of the disease, H3N2, and the common cold, seasonal flu, or even mild cases of Covid-19. High-grade fever, chills, myalgia, sore throat, runny nose, cough, loose stools, and vomiting are some of these symptoms. H3N2 symptoms can become more severe and persistent in certain kids, requiring hospitalization. Lethargy, poor feeding, respiratory issues, chest tightness, or persistent high fever are a few of these. Your doctor may prescribe tests to enable diagnosis if required.

How does this disease spread?

The virus is highly contagious. Spread it via infected droplets and may include spread from surfaces contaminated with respiratory secretions.

How can you protect children?

To keep yourself and your family safe during the ongoing outbreak, follow these basic precautions:

1. Drink plenty of water and eat a balanced, healthy diet.
2. Always practice good hand hygiene, especially after touching public surfaces, by often washing your hands or using a hand rub.
3. Avoid social events and public areas.
4. If you must attend public events, wear a face mask.

5. Spend the first 5-7 days of your illness at home to avoid spreading an infection to others.
6. If you have a fever, cough, or cold, stay away from young children, the elderly, and anyone who has ongoing medical conditions. When interacting, cover your face.
7. Avoid using self-medication (do not take antibiotics without advice from a doctor).
8. When feeling unwell, see your doctor and describe your symptoms.
9. See your doctor right away if you experience any respiratory distress symptoms, such as breathing difficulties, lowering oxygen saturation levels, a lack of appetite or drinking, or altered awareness.

Vaccination is a must to prevent influenza

The most vital pillar for protection against diseases is immunization. In India, trivalent and quadrivalent inactivated influenza virus vaccinations are approved for use and advised for all children over the age of six months. Your child will receive two doses of the flu vaccine when receiving it for the first time (often between the ages of 6 months and 1 year), and after that, annual vaccinations are indicated.

Every year, a new strain of the vaccine is available, so you should make sure your children have the shot, ideally before flu season starts. The H1NI and H3N2 strains of influenza A as well as 1 or 2 strains of influenza B are covered by the vaccine sold in Indian markets.

Ideally, all individuals should receive an annual flu shot, and those at high risk for serious illness, such as young children under the age of 5, elderly people over 65, pregnant women, or people with chronic medical conditions like diabetes or immunocompromised, should absolutely and strongly be recommended doing so. It is wise for all adults to get immunized during epidemics like the one we are presently experiencing so that those at risk are protected from exposure.

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9Apr

Absence of vaccines in hospitals heightens Covid, H3N2 fears in Bihar

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Home » General » Health » Absence of vaccines in hospitals heightens Covid, H3N2 fears in Bihar

Patna, April 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) The rising cases of Covid 19 are becoming scary in Bihar with active cases reaching 76 on Saturday.

The authorities have registered 20 fresh cases in the last 24 hours. Moreover, the side effects of corona are also appearing in the hospitals apart from the threat of the H3N2 influenza virus.

On Friday, Bihar registered its first casualty this year due to Covid infection in Gaya district. The 70-year-old patient who suffered from breathing problems was admitted to Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical Gaya three days ago, and died on Friday night. The symptoms of uneasiness in breathing are appearing in a majority of the cases in Bihar.

"After the first phase of corona, we have seen several diseases like uneasiness in breathing, heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, insomnia, skin disease, itching, eyesight loss. People of all ages are suffering from such diseases," said Dr Manoj Kumar Sinha, superintendent of New Gardener Road government hospital in Patna.

"During Covid, people's dependence on electronic gadgets has risen in the country. They have excessively used mobile phones which has led to a weakening of their eyesight. A large number of people also used medicines containing steroids which is creating health complications," Sinha said.

"People need to do some physical exercise, walking for at least half an hour, interact with people and create a healthy atmosphere around themselves," he said.

The Bihar health department is also facing a shortage of vaccines. This was admitted by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He has demanded that the Central government supply corona vaccines to Bihar.

"The vaccines have been finished in the hospitals of Bihar for the last one week. The Centre needs to provide vaccines to Bihar as quickly as possible," Kumar said on Friday.

"The testing of corona is underway every day. For every 10 lakh population, the average testing in the country is 6 lakh but in Bihar the average testing is 8 lakh. We did not stop testing when there were no cases of corona in Bihar. Now that the cases are rising the health department is in alert mode," Kumar said.

According to an official, the people of Bihar are in relaxed mode after the intensity of the infection declined. A large number of people have not taken the first, second or booster dose. As a result, 15,000 vaccines expired in March this year.

According to the World Health Organization and the Indian Council of Medical Research, the vaccines have the ability to slow the speed of infection among patients. The Bihar government has demanded 1 lakh vaccines from the Centre.

Pratyay Amrit, additional chief secretary in the health department, said: "The health department of Bihar is appealing to the people to avoid going to crowded places needlessly. People should also follow the covid protocols while visiting hospitals and wear a mask."

Besides corona, the fear of H3N2 influenza is also looming. The H3N2 influenza is a variant of swine flu (H1N1) and a few cases of the disease have surfaced in Bihar.

The symptoms of H3N2 are similar to swine flu with people having high fever, cold and cough.

The health department has claimed to have made adequate arrangements in Patna to fight the H3N2 influenza and swine flu. Twenty beds have been reserved in the Patna Medical College and Hospital and 30 beds in Patna AIIMS. Besides, there are also dedicated isolation wards in Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, Sadar hospital, Kurji Holy Family and other prominent government and private hospitals.

The health authorities have directed government and private hospitals to conduct tests of every patient having cold and cough and submit the report to the civil surgeon's office.

Source: IANS

About Gopi

Gopi Adusumilli is a Programmer. He is the editor of SocialNews.XYZ and President of AGK Fire Inc.

He enjoys designing websites, developing mobile applications and publishing news articles on current events from various authenticated news sources.

When it comes to writing he likes to write about current world politics and Indian Movies. His future plans include developing SocialNews.XYZ into a News website that has no bias or judgment towards any.

He can be reached at [email protected]

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25Mar

H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu): Overview, Symptoms, Risks, Diagnosis & Treatment

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In 2009, the H1N1 flu or Swine Flu virus was responsible for a pandemic. It is a respiratory disease caused by the H1N1 flu virus. It spreads mainly from person to person and is transmitted in the same way as seasonal flu. H1N1 is also known as swine flu because it is believed to be spread initially from humans to pigs. It causes fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches. However, H1N1 flu may cause severe illness in certain people, especially young children and the elderly.

H1N1 flu has many symptoms similar to other types of flu. Hence it is essential to diagnose and treat it at the right time. This blog will help you understand the symptoms of H1N1 and how to diagnose it correctly.

What is The H1N1 Flu?

The H1N1 flu virus is a subtype of the Influenza A virus. It is also known as swine flu or novel H1N1 flu virus. Humans can contract the H1N1 virus by breathing in or possibly by direct contact with body fluids or secretions of infected people. Children, young adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are the most susceptible to H1N1. The symptoms of H1N1 vary from person to person. Some people may develop mild flu symptoms or no symptoms at all.

What Are The Symptoms of H1N1 Flu?

The H1N1 virus causes infection in the upper and lower respiratory tract. The symptoms of H1N1 infection are identical to seasonal flu and can develop about one to three days after exposure to the virus.

Some common symptoms of the H1N1 flu are:

Chills, sore throat, cough
Fever (In some cases)
Congestion in the nose
Watery and red eyes
Headache
Body ache
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Diarrhoea
Nausea and vomiting

Children may experience some different symptoms than adults.

Trouble breathing
Fever and rash
Trouble waking up
Not drinking enough fluids
Confusion

When Should You See a Doctor?

If you are healthy and are experiencing symptoms of flu then resting and intake of fluids can help. But if you or your loved ones experiencing the flu are pregnant, adults older than 65 years or have conditions like asthma, emphysema, diabetes or heart conditions, then you should be aware of these emergency signs which cannot be ignored.

If you experience the following signs and symptoms then you should see a doctor right away:

Difficulty in breathing
Chest pain
Feeling faint and lightheaded
Seizures
Worsening of existing medical conditions
Severe weakness or muscle pain

Emergency signs that children may experience could be different than those seen in adults.

Difficulty breathing
Lip colour changes to blue
Pain in the chest area
Dehydration
Severe muscle pain
Seizures
Worsening of existing medical conditions

Who is at Risk of The H1N1 Flu?

The H1N1 flu is contagious and can spread through human contact. Therefore, many people are easily infected with the H1N1 virus. However, children (especially those below 2 years of age), pregnant women, adults above age 65 and chronically sick people (asthma, heart disease, diabetes etc) are at a high risk of H1N1 infection and possible complications.

How to Diagnose H1N1 Flu?

The best way to diagnose H1N1 flu is to consult your doctor.

The doctor will check your signs and symptoms and if they suspect H1N1 flu, they will perform the following examination for accurate diagnosis.

Physical examination to check symptoms
Since H1N1 affects the respiratory tracts, your doctor might suggest you take a PCR test. The test will require a sample of nose and mouth swabs.

The real-time Multiplex PCR test is the easiest, quickest and most effective test for identifying the type of flu. One sample can help diagnose the most common types of flu – Influenza A, Influenza B, H1N1, H3N2 and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus).

How to Treat The H1N1 Infection?

The treatment for H1N1 flu depends on the severity of the symptoms. Some people just need symptom relief such as medicines for fever and headache and body pain. People with chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, emphysema and pneumonia etc require additional treatment. Your doctor will guide you to the best treatment plan. They may prescribe antiviral drugs to help treat you. You must also focus on liquid food intake (water, juices, soups etc.) and get plenty of rest.

Conclusion

The H1N1 virus is contagious and severe. You should visit your doctor immediately if you are experiencing symptoms and suspect that you may be suffering from the H1N1 flu.

Most types of flu have similar symptoms. Therefore it is crucial to get diagnosed right in time to avoid severe complications of the infection.

You can book a test with Metropolis Labs for an accurate diagnosis. The Flu-Xpert Viral Panel test uses real-time Multiplex PCR technology to get an accurate diagnosis of all types of flu – Influenza A, Influenza B, H1N1, Influenza, H3N2 and RSV. It is a one-time sample test and you will get the results in less than 12 hours. So book your test here today.

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21Mar

Is it Corona or H3N2 Influenza.. ?

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Covid Not Over: Is it Corona or H3N2 Influenza..!?

H3N2 Vs Covid19 Symptoms: Know the difference between the symptoms of Covid19 and influenza and how to recognize them. Many people are currently suffering from the flu caused by the H3N2 virus. Because some of the symptoms of influenza and Covid-19 are similar, many people do not know which symptoms are due to which virus. The global pandemic, Covid-19, is still far from over. Even now the spread of covid continues. Omicron virus subtypes XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16 are more susceptible to symptoms. Meanwhile, for some time now, the influenza pandemic, mutated H3N2, has been causing panic. The incidence of H3N2 infection continues to increase. Concerns have grown for health officials after reports of some deaths from the seasonal flu in the country. Hence, people are requested to be cautious. Meanwhile, symptoms of H3N2 and Covid-19 may be similar. It would be beneficial for everyone to know the difference between the two.
Covid 19 and Influenza Symptoms: Similarities
Some of the symptoms of influenza caused by the Covid-19 and H3N2 viruses are similar. These symptoms leave people confused as to which of the two diseases has been affected. Common symptoms that confuse are:

Cough
Body pain
fever
throat pain
Muscle pain
Breathing problem
Covid-19:
The number of Covid patients across the country and the world has reached 68 crores 21 lakh 89 thousand, of which 68 lakh 17 thousand have died. Apart from this, more than 2 crore patients are still fighting this infection. In india alone, more than 5 lakh 30 thousand people have died due to covid and currently, 4,623 people are infected with covid.

H3N2 influenza:
According to indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data, the Covid-19 virus is a combination of several circulating viruses such as swine flu (H1N1), H3N2 and seasonal diseases, and influenza B viruses. Both H3N2 and H13N1 are strains of the influenza-A virus, commonly known as the flu.
Some of the most common symptoms include prolonged fever, cough, runny nose, and body aches. But in severe cases, people may experience shortness of breath. According to data updated by the Union health Ministry, more than 700 cases of Covid-19 were reported in a day after a gap of more than four months, and 4,623 people are currently infected with the disease. The symptoms of covid do not last for 2-3 days and the patient recovers. But H3N2 and H13N1 cause a dry cough with mucus that lasts for weeks and is more likely to lead to pneumonia or a secondary bacterial infection. Also, people infected with H3N2 develop a hoarseness and sore throat that lasts for two to three weeks. Influenza is not fatal, but if the virus is ignored, there is a high chance of death. In particular, the risk is high for young children, infants, adults with other diseases, elderly people over 65 years, pregnant women, and immunocompromised patients. Along with changing weather conditions, pollution also plays an important role in increasing the number of people suffering from viral infections

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16Mar

Explained: Swine Flu and H3N2 cases on rise in India, severe health outcomes cannot be ruled out

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Explained: Swine Flu and H3N2 cases on rise in India, severe health outcomes cannot be ruled out

Representational image (Photo credit: Getty images)

While the influenza A subtype H3N2 virus is the most common in India, cases of swine flu or the H1N1 viral infection are on the rise.

Symptom	Common Cold	Flu	COVID-19
	Caused by many virus, but mostly it is rhinovirus	Caused by Influenza virus	Caused by SARS-CoV-2
Symptom onset	Gradual	Abrupt
Headache	Rare	Usually	Usually
Cough	Usually	Usually (can be severe and can last 2 or more weeks)	Usually (dry)
Muscle aches	Sometimes		Usually
Tiredness	Sometimes	Usually	Usually
Sneezing	Usually	Usually	Rarely
Sore throat	Common/Usually	Sometimes/Usually	Usually
Runny or stuffy nose	Common	Usually	Usually
Fever	Rare to sometimes	Usually	Usually
Diarrhea	Never	Sometimes (more common in children)	Sometimes
Nausea or vomiting	Never	Sometimes (more common in children)	Sometimes
New loss of taste or smell	Sometimes (especially with a stuffy nose)	Rarely	Usually (early — often without a runny or stuffy nose)
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing	May have difficulty breathing due to Stuffy nose	Usually	Usually

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What is The H1N1 Flu?

What Are The Symptoms of H1N1 Flu?

When Should You See a Doctor?

Who is at Risk of The H1N1 Flu?

How to Diagnose H1N1 Flu?

How to Treat The H1N1 Infection?

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