As influenza A (H3N2) spreads covertly throughout Delhi, over-the-counter sales of medications, such as bronchial cough syrups, anti-allergy medications, and paracetamol tablets, have increased by over 25% over the past month. While the sales of anti-allergic drugs have climbed by 35%, meanwhile, the sales of various types of cough syrups have increased by over 25% over the past 45 days.

Mr. Basant Goel, general secretary for the north-east zone of the Retail Distribution Chemists Alliance (RDCA), confirmed the upward trend in the sales of these drugs and added that the majority of cough syrups sold were for allergic bronchitis, with a persistent cough being the primary flu virus symptom. Mr. Dinesh Arya, district president (north-west zone), added that people are also purchasing ayurvedic cough medicine to treat their chronic cough.

Mr. Sandeep Jain, district president of the RDCAs southeast zone, echoed similar sentiments when he stated that the number of prescriptions for dry cough and allergy medications had skyrocketed. He stated that non-prescription medications being purchased by consumers included lozenges, herbal syrups, and natural cough cures.

As per the doctors, the H3N2 virus affects the throat and bronchial tree. As a result, the patient experiences bronchial inflammation and breathing issues like asthma. Clinical therapy states that taking anti-allergic medications and using moderate bronchodilators or inhalers is the best treatment.