Two strains of viruses make seasonal influenza in the US serious

According to the report of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this year’s influenza season in the US has two viruses circulating and A/H3N2 and A/H1N1, with an almost equivalent infection. . This is rare in previous translation seasons.

Experts say that two strains of double -infected viruses may be the reason why the current outbreak becomes more complicated and serious. As of February 8, at least 370,000 hospitalized cases and 16,000 deaths due to influenza. This figure on the momentum surpassed the previous high level recorded during the 2017-2018 influenza season.

H3n2 Often circulating in pigs but can be transmitted to humans, discovered in the first time in 2011. History shows that, if H3N2 prevails, the flu season is often serious. US CDC data recorded in the 2017-2018 influenza season has 808,129 cases of hospitalization when the H3N2 influenza strain dominates. It is estimated that about 643 deaths in children, mainly in children who have not been vaccinated.

The second disease is spreading in the US H1N1also known as pig flu. The virus leads to pneumonia in pigs, which can cause respiratory infections in humans. In 1918, H1N1 pandemic infected 500 million people worldwide, known as Spanish influenza. At least 50 million people died of this epidemic.

In 2009, a new variable of H1N1 appeared in the US, then spread to the globe, causing the World Health Organization (WHO) to announce this as a pandemic. At that time, the pathogens spread quickly because young people had no immunity, while the elderly contacted the old H1N1 strain, the antibody was no longer effective. The new H1N1 strain infected millions of people worldwide, with at least 150,000 deaths. 80% of the deaths under 65 years old. By 2010, WHO announced that the pandemic ended, but H1N1 still exists as a dangerous seasonal flu.

Both H3N2 and H1N1 spread through a drop from the patient when coughing or sneezing, or when touching the surface of the virus and then putt it on the mouth, nose, eyes. The incubation period lasts from 5 to 7 days, but the symptoms may last longer, such as a 3 -week cough. Symptoms include fever, body aches, headache, sore throat, cough, fatigue and vomiting, rare in adults but often occur in children.

People who are susceptible to serious complications when infected with influenza include children under 5 years old, people over 65 years old, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, immunodeficiency.

H3N2 and H1N1 can be treated with antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu or Relenza. These two drugs are most effective when used for the first 48 hours after symptoms appear.

To prevent influenza, people need to cover their mouths and nose when coughing or sneezing with a tissue or elbow. Towels after use need to be thrown in the trash. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use alcoholic dry hand washing solution if not conditions. Avoid touching your face to reduce the risk of viral infection, limit contact with patients and if there is flu symptoms, need to quit working or study to protect the community. The annual influential vaccination of the influenza vaccine is the most effective measure to reduce the risk of disease and dangerous complications.