What Is H3N2 Flu- Know Its Symptoms & Treatment (2023)

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Flu season is upon us once again, and as we all know, the flu can be a serious illness. H3N2 is one strain of the flu that’s been getting much attention in recent years. This particular strain of the influenza virus can cause severe illness, so it’s important to be aware of its symptoms.

H3N2, also known as Swine Flu, is a respiratory illness that spreads from pigs to humans. In the United States, the first case in humans was detected in 2011, and there have been sporadic outbreaks since then. In this article, we’ll go over what H3N2 is, how it spreads, and most importantly, what the symptoms are.

What is H3N2?

H3N2 is a subtype of the Influenza A virus that affects humans and animals. It is a highly contagious virus that mutates rapidly, making it difficult to develop effective vaccines. H3N2 is responsible for seasonal flu outbreaks and can cause severe illness and even death.(1)

H3N2

H3N2 symptoms

The symptoms of H3N2v are similar to those of seasonal flu but can be more severe. This could involve side effects (like pneumonia), which might need hospitalization and even lead to death occasionally. Symptoms can appear anywhere from one to four days after exposure to the virus and can last for up to a week. Symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Body aches
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Chills
  • Sometimes other G.I. symptoms may be present; like Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea. (2)

How Is H3N2 Spread?

H3N2 is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The virus can also be transmitted by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes. H3N2 can be contagious even before the infected person shows symptoms, making it difficult to control its spread.(2)

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H3N2 Prevention

Get vaccinated

The best way to protect yourself from H3N2 is to get vaccinated. The flu vaccine is formulated each year to protect against the strains of the flu virus that are expected to be most common during that particular flu season.

The vaccine is usually available in the fall, and it’s recommended that everyone over the age of six months get vaccinated. While the flu vaccine is not 100% effective, it can reduce your risk of getting the flu and can also make the illness less severe if you do get sick.

Wash your hands

Another effective way to prevent H3N2 is to wash your hands frequently. The flu virus can live on surfaces for several hours (Minimum 15 min to 48 hours on different surfaces), so it’s important to wash your hands regularly, especially after touching surfaces that are frequently touched by others, such as doorknobs, elevator buttons, and shopping carts.

Use soap and water and scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

Avoid close contact with sick people

If someone around you is sick with the flu, it’s best to avoid close contact with them. The flu virus is spread through respiratory droplets that are released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. If you must be in close contact with someone who is sick, consider wearing a face mask to reduce your risk of catching the flu.

Stay home if you’re sick

If you’re sick with the flu, it’s important to stay home to avoid spreading the virus to others. Most people with the flu are contagious for about a week after they first get sick. If you have the flu, stay home until you’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medication.

Practice good respiratory hygiene

If you do get sick with the flu, it’s important to practice good respiratory hygiene to prevent the spread of the virus. Cover nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and dispose of used tissues immediately. Sneeze or cough into your elbow instead of your hands if you don’t have a tissue nearby.

Keep your immune system healthy

Keeping your immune system healthy can also help reduce your risk of getting the flu. Eat a healthy diet that’s rich in fruits and vegetables, get regular exercise, and get enough sleep each night. Avoid smoking and limit your alcohol intake, as these can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to illness. (3)

How To Diagnose H3N2

H3N2 is a strain of influenza virus. The diagnosis of H3N2 usually involves a combination of clinical evaluation and laboratory tests.

Clinical evaluation

A doctor may suspect H3N2 based on the symptoms that a person presents with. These symptoms include Sore throat, fever, runny or stuffy nose, cough, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. The doctor may also take into account the person’s age, health status, and recent travel history.

Laboratory tests

There are several laboratory tests that can be used to diagnose H3N2. The most common tests are:

  • Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs):

These are quick tests that can detect the presence of influenza virus in a person’s respiratory secretions (e.g., nasal swabs). RIDTs are less accurate than other tests and may produce false-negative results.

  • Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests:

These tests are more accurate than RIDTs and can detect the genetic material (RNA) of the influenza virus in respiratory secretions.

  • Viral culture:

This test involves growing the influenza virus in a laboratory setting from a sample of respiratory secretions. Viral culture is the most accurate test for diagnosing influenza but takes longer to produce results than RT-PCR tests.

If you suspect that you have H3N2, you should contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. They can evaluate your symptoms and perform the necessary tests to determine if you have H3N2 or another respiratory illness.(4)

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H3N2 Treatment

There are several treatment options available, depending on the severity of the infection. In most cases, people with H3N2 will recover with rest and symptom management, which includes:

  • Drinking plenty of fluids
  • Taking over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen
  • Getting enough rest

For people with severe cases of H3N2, antiviral medications may be prescribed. There are several antiviral medications available that can help reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.

These medications work by inhibiting the virus’s ability to replicate and spread throughout the body. The most commonly prescribed antiviral medications for H3N2 include oseltamivir (Tamiflu), zanamivir (Relenza), and peramivir (Rapivab).(5)

It’s important to note that antiviral medications work best when started within the first 48 hours of symptom onset. If you’ve been diagnosed with H3N2, be sure to speak with your healthcare provider about whether antiviral medication is a viable treatment option for you.

H3N2 Complications

While most people who get infected, experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without any complications, some individuals are at risk of developing severe complications that can lead to hospitalization or even death.(6)

Common complications

 Severe complications

Risk Factors For H3N2

  • Age: Children under the age of five and adults over the age of 65
  • Health status: People with chronic health conditions, such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, and weakened immune systems
  • Pregnancy: Pregnant women are at higher risk of complications such as pneumonia.
  • Living or working conditions: People who live or work in close quarters, such as nursing homes or schools.
  • Travel: Traveling to areas with high rates of H3N2v infection can increase the risk of contracting the virus.(7)

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Conclusion

Swine flu, also known as H3N2 v, is a respiratory illness that spreads from pigs to humans. Symptoms can include fever, chills, cough, body aches, sore throat, headache, and fatigue. Prevention measures include avoiding contact with sick people, wearing protective clothing, practicing good hygiene habits, and seeking treatment if you experience symptoms. By following these guidelines, you can help protect yourself and others from the spread of H3N2.