There’s a worry about Indians falling ill with respiratory diseases in India, especially from a type of flu called Influenza A (H1N1). Going by the most recent data from the NCDC, there are increasing cases of Influenza A (H1N1) in states like Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and West Bengal. Few of the states have also reported a few deaths related to influenza too. The NCDC report emphasized on the findings of A (H1N1) pdm09, A (H3N2), and Type B Victoria lineage strains in India being the probable causative strains.
Vaccines are recommended against such flu viruses found in India as well as worldwide. They are also the type of virus which WHO recommends as universal, for instance, the Southern Hemisphere 2024. Frontline workers have suggested to people who are suffering from cough and cold to get themselves tested for Covid-19 too, as there is an increase in hospital admissions due to chest infections. Influenced by the skyrocketing rates of influenza infections within the country, the NCDC has suggested the temperate use of the quadrivalent influenza vaccine of the Southern Hemisphere in 2024.
Seasonal Influenza (flu) is viral respiratory pathogens. It is highly contagious and has hit the respiratory system including the nose, throat and lungs causing much discomfort globally. The characteristic features of seasonal influenza are the abrupt onsetting of fever, cough (usually dry), headache, muscle aches, body pains, profound malaise (a state of being very unwell); a sore throat and a runny nose.
