How to differentiate between symptoms of COVID-19, H3N2 and flu

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The previous couple of months of the so-called “flu-season” have been witness to a higher consciousness concerning the yearly occurring an infection, primarily on account of a variant of the influenza virus named H3N2. Conventional and social media information networks have highlighted this variant as one which causes the signs of a standard influenza an infection to persist longer – even as much as 3 weeks or extra.

What precisely is H3N2?

Is it a brand new variant that poses a higher risk than influenza brought on by ‘common’ flu viruses? Does it work together with the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19? Does it infect kids selectively? How will we establish signs and indicators of H3N2 influenza at a time when even COVID-19 appears to returning on the again of a brand new sub-variant known as XBB.1.16?

So as to have the ability to establish a prevailing viral sickness, it is very important perceive the variations between circulating viruses and the signs that they current with. That is key to early detection, correct prognosis, and efficient remedy.

Indicators and Signs of Influenza:

Influenza, generally often called the flu, is a contagious respiratory sickness brought on by the influenza virus.
These viruses are of A, B and C varieties and it’s the former two that may trigger widespread transmission.
The sort A influenza viruses have a hemagglutinin (H) and a neuraminidase (N) floor protein – every of that are additional labeled into 18 & 11 sub-types respectively. The mix of the 2 determines the circulating virus e.g. H1N1, H3N2, H7N9 and many others.

So H3N2 is without doubt one of the sub-types of influenza viruses that’s at the moment circulating and therefore the signs are just like these of ‘common’ influenza with a couple of distinction,

Indicators and signs of influenza could seem quickly (1-4 days after publicity) and might vary from gentle to extreme. The commonest ones are fever, chills, physique aches, headache, and fatigue. Many people expertise an itching within the throat that continues as a sore throat, persistent cough (often dry) and a runny or stuffy nostril. In case of H3N2, the cough could also be extended for as much as 3 weeks or extra and this often guides the scientific prognosis.

Youngsters could expertise extra signs equivalent to earache and sinusitis.

Influenza also can trigger issues equivalent to pneumonia, bronchitis, and worsening of pre-existing medical circumstances equivalent to bronchial asthma or coronary heart illness.

There could also be different signs involving the gastrointestinal system equivalent to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea which will support the scientific prognosis.

Indicators and Signs of COVID-19:

Current stories have highlighted the truth that the COVID-19 pandemic continues with the SARS-CoV-2 virus mutating to flee infection-induced in addition to vaccine-induced immunity. Fortunately, these mutations have to this point not precipitated any widespread improve in illness severity and fatalities. However the signs of COVID-19 carefully resemble these of different respiratory diseases and an individual vaccinated towards COVID-19 could erroneously dismiss any signs and proceed transmitting the virus to others.

The indicators and signs of COVID-19 are often seen 2-14 days after publicity to the virus. The commonest signs embrace fever, cough, and shortness of breath. People might additionally expertise fatigue, muscle or physique aches, headache, lack of style or odor (much less widespread with new variants), sore throat, congestion or runny nostril, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

In older adults and people with comorbidities COVID-19 is thought trigger extreme respiratory issues like pneumonia, acute respiratory misery syndrome (ARDS), and multi-organ failure.

So how does one know what’s inflicting one’s signs?

Here’s a fast information:

There are a number of variations between influenza brought on by common flu viruses, the H3N2 and COVID-19 that may assist distinguish between these diseases:

• Age: These beneath 8 years and people above 65 years are extra in danger for influenza whereas COVID-19 infections are extra widespread in younger adults and older people.
• Begin of signs: Influenza signs often seem impulsively whereas COVID-19 signs could take a number of days to look after publicity to an contaminated particular person.
• Grade of fever: Each influenza and COVID-19 trigger fever, however fever is much less widespread and often decrease (between 99-101o F) in influenza sufferers.
• Cough: In H3N2 influenza, cough is intense and protracted, leaving the affected person exhausted.
• Feeling of Fatigue: COVID-19 causes profound fatigue which is much less widespread in case of influenza.
• Lack of Odor or Style: COVID-19 could cause a lack of odor or style, whereas influenza doesn’t accomplish that.
• Gastrointestinal Signs: Influenza could cause gastrointestinal signs equivalent to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, however they’re much less widespread in COVID-19 sufferers.
• Issues: Each diseases can result in extreme issues, however COVID-19 is extra prone to trigger extreme sickness and demise, significantly in older adults and people with underlying medical circumstances.

In conclusion, any definitive prognosis of a respiratory sickness, particularly of a viral origin begins with a scientific suspicion. That is additional aided by the present season, historical past of a affected person’s sickness, demographic profile, concurrent continual diseases, prevalent well being circumstances in the neighborhood and many others. Whereas this guides the prognosis, it’s only laboratory testing that may affirm the identical and assist to establish the virus accountable. Therefore this can be very necessary to go to a physician early (as quickly as signs develop) and procure a confirmed prognosis.

Influenza remedy with antiviral medicines, if began straight away, helps to shorten the length of the sickness and prevents development to extreme illness. Equally, COVID-19 treatment works greatest when administered early.

This can be a duty shared by people, organizations and the neighborhood at massive. Creating consciousness by means of genuine and credible well being data, making certain entry is offered to healthcare professionals, testing laboratories and coverings goes a great distance in serving to folks preserve themselves and their family members protected.

The writer is the Medical Director, Indian Subcontinent, Worldwide SOS. Views are private.