A 49 -year -old woman from Kolkata, West Bengal, was infected with Human Koronwirus HKU1. According to the hospital, the patient was admitted after continuous fever for 15 days. No travel history was found for the patient in the last 30 days.

The woman of Geria in South Kolkata is currently receiving treatment and her condition is stable.

RN Tagore Hospital’s Treatment Doctor, Dr. Arindam Biswas said, “Initially, secondary pneumonia was detected. She was experiencing high fever for the last 15 days. There is no journey history for the patient. She belongs to Saras-2, but it is another stress of Koronaviras. To release on Tuesday.”

Experts said the virus has been known for at least two decades and is less likely to cause any broad infection.

What is human coronavirus?

Betakoronavirus Hongconnance, commonly known as the human coronavirus HKU 1 (HCOV-HKU 1), is a viral infection that is a part of the Koronwirus family that affects humans and animals.

It is not a new virus like Covid-19 virus, Sars-Cov-2. HKU 1, an RNA virus, was named after Hong Kong University, where it was originally described in 2004.

“HKU1 is one of the many common cold -edged viruses belonging to the Koronwirus group. It is not the same as Kovid -19 and is not a new virus,” Dr. Rajiv Jayadevan, Chairman, Scientific Committee, IMA Cochin told IANS.

Global studies show that most children have at least one infection from HKU1 to 3-4 years of age.

Dr. Jayadevan said, “Most children come in contact with these viruses while growing up.

According to a 2021 study, published in the Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology, by Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, HKU1 along with NL63, OC43, 229E, a group of 250 children with 4.3% infection in a group of 250 children.

What are its symptoms?

In most cases it causes normal cold but severe infection can cause pneumonia and difficulty in breathing.

Director of Internal Medicine of Max Healthcare, Dr. Monica Mahajan said, “The initial patient in Hong Kong presented with pneumonia and ARDS (acute respiratory crisis syndrome) after a visit to China.

There is no reason to panic, the expert said.

Hcov-Hku1 causes miller infection compared to sars and mers virus. Most patients will have symptoms such as signs with nose, sore throat, body pain, headache and fever.

Infant, young children and senior citizens are more unsafe for complications.

Dr. Mahajan told India Today Digital, “Diabetic patients, cancer patients and lung disease people with low immunity are more prone to serious illness. It spreads from respiratory drops to person by respiratory drops due to cough and sneezing.”

What are the treatment options?

Currently, there is no vaccine for HKU1. Basic cough and sneezing etiquette should be done to avoid contact with a patient with diseases like flu and a healthy diet.

Dr. Mahajan advised, “Vaccination for Influenza is once available new batch of vaccines for 2025-26.”

Testing for HKU1 has no meaning because treatment is symptomatic with paracetamol and antihistamine, the expert said. Hydration and comfort are important.

How to stop it?

HKU1 is mainly spread by contact, and through the wind also standing close to someone who is coughing or sneezing.

“The viruses usually stick to the touching surfaces and so after returning from public places, washing hands with soap and water is a good habit,” Dr. Jayadevan said.

He recommended that weak people take extra precautions against the respiratory virus as these infections can sometimes be serious.

Currently, the whole world is seeing an increase in influenza cases.

Dr. Mahajan said that it is for two reasons: “The influenza virus is very quick and the vaccine against influenza does not provide 100% protection. A ‘flock is also a’ flock immune ‘due to large-scale vaccinations for Sars-Cov2 or Covid-19 virus. Therefore, currently, there is currently virus virus in circulation.”