These viruses are different from those responsible for the common cold,” says pediatrician Dr. Vijay Yewale, Member of Pediatric Covid Task Force. Influenza virus types A and B cause most human illnesses and flu season. Current subtypes of influenza A viruses, which regularly circulate among people, include A (H1N1) and A (H3N2).
Dr Yewale Told TOI that most children were recovering in 3-5 days after contracting influenza virus, while children below five years of age and minors with chronic diseases and low immunity are at risk of getting severe illness due to H1N1 was.
“There has been a nearly 50% increase in influenza cases among children in 2020 and 2021 compared to the same period. These cases also include H1N1 among children. This is because most children are now in schools, playgrounds, etc. And meeting each other in parks. In the last two years when the Covid restrictions were keeping them at home,” he said.
“During the past two years, many citizens were in the habit of wearing and sanitizing masks. Such measures also prevent respiratory infections such as H1N1 that spread through droplets. Compliance with masks is now almost absent,” he said. Told.
An update by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that children below the age of 12 were known to spread the virus for a long time. A health department official said that children, the elderly and pregnant women are most vulnerable to HINI, which causes swine flu.
Doctor Sanjeev VavreThe Pune Municipal CorporationThe assistant medical officer of the U.S. said, “At present, no age group-wise demarcation of H1N1 cases is being recorded. Such data is restricted to admitted cases only. Children generally do not require hospitalisation. Because they have a mild infection. But some cases of swine flu are also being reported in children. Children under the age of five and adults above 60 years of age are more susceptible to H1N1.”
Dr. Amit Dravid, infectious disease specialist at Noble Hospital, said, “Children are coming in with symptoms similar to adults. When tested, they test positive for H1N1. But for healthy children, H1N1 The chance of causing serious illness from 1N1 is very small.”
“During the COVID pandemic, immunity to influenza is declining because many people haven’t had their annual flu shots,” he said.