Hyderabad’s Unknown Virus: What You Must Know
An unidentified respiratory virus is spreading in Hyderabad, exhibiting symptoms similar to Swine Flu, influenza, and adenovirus. This mysterious illness has affected individuals of various age groups, particularly those with underlying health conditions. Despite its unknown origin, experts reassure the public that there’s no need for alarm since the recovery rate for this virus is 100%, with patients typically recovering within five days, which is consistent with typical viral infections.
Common symptoms of this mystery virus include a runny nose, sore throat, dry cough, fever accompanied by body aches, and breathing difficulties. Approximately 1-2% of patients have experienced respiratory failure.
Dr. Syed Abdul Aleem, Consultant in Pulmonology at CARE Hospitals, Musheerabad, Hyderabad, reports that this virus has been affecting 6-7% of people, with 50% being children and the remaining 50% adults with pre-existing lung conditions such as COPD, Post TB complications, lung damage from Covid-19, and asthma. Children are more susceptible due to their developing immunity.
Medical professionals initially tested patients for various viruses, including influenza A and B, H1N1 (Swine Flu), H3N2 (avian flu), and dengue. However, they encountered false-positive results in 3-4% of cases because the mystery virus shares structural similarities with these viral families.
The treatment approach for this virus involves symptomatic care, with most patients showing positive responses. Those with respiratory failure are treated with Oseltamivir, an antiviral medication, with favorable outcomes. Patients are advised to stay hydrated, maintain isolation until they fully recover, and seek medical attention if necessary.
Preventive measures include wearing a mask when coughing or sneezing, using N95 masks, practicing social distancing, regular sanitization, getting vaccinated for influenza, and immediate isolation if symptoms appear, followed by seeking medical advice.
The exact family of this mystery virus remains uncertain, but medical professionals are conducting multiplex PCR panel tests, including those for Influenza A&B, H1N1, H3N2, and Covid RT-PCR to gain further insights.