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The Indian Medical Association warned against the use of antibiotics after several patients reported an increase in flu cases with symptoms including high grade fever and persistent cough.
The increasing infections are caused by the H3N2 influenza virus, which lasts five to seven days, according to the association in a Twitter statement, noting that it is seasonal.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), H3N2 – a subtype of the influenza virus – has been in widespread circulation for the last two to three months.
“A sudden increase in the number of patients having symptoms of cough, nausea, vomiting, sore throat fever, bodyache and diarrhoea in some cases,” the IMA wrote on Twitter.
“While fever goes away at the end of three days, coughs can persist for three weeks,” it added, advising doctors to avoid prescribing antibiotics to such patients.
According to the IMA, the cases are typically seen in people over the age of 50 and under the age of 15. Some people are also reporting upper respiratory infections in addition to fever. “Air pollution” is a precipitating factor as well.
It advised doctors to treat patients only for symptoms and to avoid using antibiotics.
According to the IMA, people have begun taking antibiotics such as Athreycin and Amoxiclav without regard for dose or frequency, and they stop once they feel better. They went on to say that “this must be stopped because it leads to antibiotic resistance.”
“Whenever there is a genuine need for antibiotics, they will fail due to resistance,” the IMA wrote.
The medical association recommended avoiding crowded places, practicing good hand and respiratory hygiene, and getting vaccinated against the flu.
Harshal R. Salve, Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine, AIIMS, said the increase in the transmission of flu virus is due to abrupt “climatic conditions currently prevalent”.
“The government’s serological surveillance through established mechanisms in the public health system is essential to determine serotype of the virus and its endemic,” Salve told.
Patients with asthma and severe lung infections are having difficulty breathing, according to doctors at Primus Hospital in Chanakyapuri.
The elderly, children, and pregnant women are the most vulnerable to infection. As a result, they must be extra cautious when venturing outside, according to the doctors.
“Patients having chronic ailments like asthma have to be extra cautious during such weather transitions as it can trigger severe respiratory issues and asthma attacks. During this time, even minor respiratory problems must be reported to a pulmonologist or a physician to avoid the problem from worsening.”
Source:SE
