Most patients who require hospitalisation are of influenza, RSV: Health expert

New Delhi [India], December 28 (ANI): As India logged 702 new COVID-19 cases and reported six deaths in the last 24 hours, Dr Dhiren Gupta, Senior Paediatrician, Sir Gangaram Hospital said that currently, most patients requiring hospitalisation are of influenza and Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
"Till now we are getting most of the patients that require admission mainly in influenza or RSV. So, if we have around 40 patients, mostly 15 patients are suffering from influenza or RSV, rather than COVID though the COVID test is done automatically when we go for the 22 viral testing. So that test is included till now in north India, especially in Delhi, COVID may be there but it is not clinically significant for us," Dr Gupta said.
Explaining the concerns on the impact of the Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Dr Gupta said, "Presently the type of infections that we are getting is a lot of viral infections, especially the past few weeks. Mostly they are either influenza type A, or type B in some of the babies is RSV. RSV mainly affects small babies less than one year old and influenza can affect any age group these are of main concern."
He also said that the virus becomes more virulent due to pollution.
"In general, because pollution is there, whenever pollution is there, this virus becomes more virulent. So whether it's influenza, but this is with patients who are suffering from comorbidities, especially infants and deadly with and without comorbidity should be wearing the mask that's the only precaution we can take and especially triple layer masks should be sufficient," Doctor said.
Dr Gupta further appealed to the public to avoid crowded places as we are entering into the New Year celebrations mode.
Earlier today, the Delhi reported two fresh cases of COVID-19.
"The reports of the positive cases have been sent for genome sequencing to confirm instances of the sub-variant, JN.1," AIIMS Medical Superintendent informed. (ANI)