The flu season has gripped several people in the country, with many experiencing severe symptoms of cough, fever, headaches, and runny nose. The widely circulating flu is caused by the H3N2 subtype of Influenza A
The latest bout of symptoms is being attributed to Influenza A subtype H3N2, which has Covid-like symptoms, as per doctors.
All these infections are being spread by respiratory viruses, most commonly influenza, leading to fever, persistent cough for almost 3 weeks, and chest congestion.
Doctors and experts have noted that many patients are heading to pharmacy stores to buy over-the-counter antibiotics.
The sales of medicines, such as bronchial cough syrups, anti-allergy medicines, and paracetamol tablets, have gone up by more than 25% in cities like Delhi.
Doctors have said that popping antibiotics without medical diagnosis could cause way more harm to the body than good.
Indian Medical Association advised against the indiscriminate use of antibiotics like Azithromycin and Amoxiclav to alleviate symptoms.
IMA said that the most misused antibiotics are Amoxicillin, Norfloxacin, Oprofloxacin, Ofloxacin and Levofloxacin.
IMA has said that popping antibiotics can lead to minor-to-severe health problems, like rashes, nausea, diarrhoea, and yeast infections. Severe side effects could be like severe colon damage, life-threatening allergic reactions, and antibiotic-resistant infection.
ICMR said that patients should only take paracetamol for fever and body aches. It advised that affected people should take plenty of fluids, practice social distancing, and use masks in public places.