With influenza A subtype H3N2 virus claiming two lives in India, one each in Karnataka and Haryana, doctors in Lucknow have urged people to avoid self-medication.
Sheetal Verma, senior faculty department of microbiology at King George's Medical University (KGMU) said, "The influenza A virus sub-type H3N2 is nothing new but as people are experiencing longer spells of cough, self-medication should be strictly avoided. There is nothing to panic. This variant does not lead to a pandemic but taking precautions against it will certainly help."
She said that it is better for people experiencing fever, cough or respiratory distress to consult a doctor instead of buying a drug over-the-counter because this flu variant is different.
According to doctors, the precautions people should take include -- keeping body immunity adequate and avoiding close contact with unknown people, particularly avoiding crowded places.
Abhishek Shukla, Secretary General of the Association of International Doctors, said, "A majority of those experiencing a longer spell of cough these days have poor body immunity may be due to age (elderly) or due to some other pre-existing illness."
P.K. Gupta, former President, IMA, Lucknow, said, "Children and elderly are the most vulnerable. They are advised to avoid cold weather conditions during the morning and late evening. This will reduce the chance of getting infected. Everyone should avoid self-medication."
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Supreme Court judge, Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, who hails from Manipur, on Sunday, urged all concerned to sit together with a sense of empathy, sympathy, and fraternity to overcome the ongoing ethnic problem in the state.
Peace will return soon in Manipur, says Supreme Court's Justice Gavai; inaugurates legal, medical aid camps
Supreme Court judge, Justice B. R. Gavai, who is leading a five-member team of apex court judges currently visiting violence-hit Manipur, on Saturday said that peace would prevail in this land and peace would return soon and "let us all work together to bring peace and justice".
5-member SC judges team meets violence-hit people in Manipur; opens legal services, medical camps
A five-member team of Supreme Court judges, headed by Justice B. R. Gavai on Saturday, visited the camps for the ethnic violence affected in Manipur's Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts and met displaced men, women and children sheltering there, officials said.