Several experts have pointed out a spurt of H3N2 influenza in the national capital and NCR region. They stated that this recent spike in influenza has been affecting all age groups, including children. Dr. S. Chatterjee, senior consultant of internal medicine at Apollo Hospital, stated that they are seeing a lot of cases of respiratory infection with symptoms including fever, cough, runny or blocked nose, body ache, and headache. He added that the diagnosis in most cases points toward influenza caused by Influenza A, H3N2, H1N1, and also some other respiratory viruses.

Dr. Chandra Sekhar Singha, senior consultant at the pediatric critical care unit at Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital, stated that even children are getting infected by H3N2. He added that the infection even affects children who are less than 5 years old. He explained that other than a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and rhinovirus, it usually infects children less than five years of age, especially those younger than two years.

Infected children, he warned, could develop high-grade fever, cough, cold, and, in some cases, severe respiratory problems, particularly if they have underlying neurological issues or chronic respiratory problems. Hence, he suggested that people avoid visiting crowded places. Other than that, they must wear a mask and regularly wash their hands.