The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) lists fever, cough, runny nose and other symptoms such as body aches, nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea as symptoms of the H3N2 virus
Severe symptoms of H3N2 include fever lasting 4-5 days, very severe cough, sore throat, change in voice, and difficulty in breathing, according to Virologist and Head of Research and Development at Tata Medical and Diagnostics Dr V Ravi
H3N2 or influenza can cause severe disease sometimes such as pneumonia, which needs timely hospitalisation. A lung transplant might also be needed in rare cases, as per Lead Consultant- Critical Care, Aster RV Hospital Dr Chinnadurai R
COVID-19 is much more contagious compared to H3N2 as the latter spreads seasonally. COVID-19 spreads very fast from human to human due to its nature. Both the viruses are usually transmitted through cough droplets that spread for a metre or 3 ft, as per Consultant, Peadiatrics and Infectious Diseases at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital Dr Tanu Singhal
Symptoms of the H3N2 virus last for 1-2 weeks whereas the symptoms of COVID-19 virus remain for 3-5 days, Medical Director of LNJP Hospital Dr Suresh Kumar said
While doctors prescribe anti-fever medication for H3N2, they recommend COVID-19 specific drugs for coronavirus
While one reports fever, cough, and runny nose in H3N2, those infected with adenovirus also report sore throat acute bronchitis, conjuctivitis, and diarrhea along with these symptoms
In case of Adenovirus, high-grade fever lasts for around 7 days and can go upto 10-14 days. Those having H3N2 have high-grade fever which develops into cough that lasts weeks
You should look out for the following warning signs in case of H3N2, adenovirus and COVID-19 before visiting the emergency room:
In case of H3N2, COVID-19: Excess coughing, breathlessness and low oxygen saturation levels
In case of adenovirus: Excessive fever, severe respiratory distress