Swine Flu(H1N1 virus) ,Symptoms,Prevention and Screening centres' Contact Information

Swine Flu [H1N1 virus] in India

By August 13, the national Flu death toll rose to 18 with Maharashtra claiming an overwhelming 14. Pune was the epicenter location where 11 deaths have been reported. The city was last planning on setting up 15 screening centers.The economy of the state has been drastically affected as the district level commercial transactions have stopped. Mumbai is undergoing a shut-down with schools and colleges shut down for a week. In New Delhi, seven new cases were reported. The total number of swine flu patients has risen to 312 in the capital. Hyderabad had reported around 72 cases last week only.

Government has told hospitals to not wait for the test results and start giving Tamiflu dosage in case the patient keeps showing the flu symptoms.

People at most risk from Swine Flu

1. Those with lung diseases and asthma.

2. Diabetic patients.

3. Those with heart, liver or kidney diseases.

4. Those with neurological diseases.

5. Pregnant women.

6. People aged 65 or over.

7. Children under 5.

Symptoms and danger signs of Swine Flu

For Children:
Blue lips & skin.
Rapid breathing.
Excessive sleeping & seizures.
Persistent vomiting.

For Adults :

Shortness of breath.
Pain in chest or abdomen.
Sudden dizziness and
Persistent vomiting.

Immediate check-up should be done in case those concerned show the symptoms.

High fever, severe body ache, running nose, sore throat, breathing trouble, vomiting and diarrhea are all symptoms of the flu if shown simultaneously.

Identifying swine flu suspects

People who :
1. Have persisting breathing problem with fever continuing for a week despite medication.
2. Have travelled abroad with fever.
3. Are family members of patients.

Are very likely to have been infected with the virus.

To prevent getting infected (Prevention measures of Swine Flu)

1. Do not touch your mouth, nose and eyes.

2. Clean hands with soap and water every time you cough or sneeze.

3. Avoid close contact with people having symptoms of flu.

4. Try to spend less time in crowded places.

5. Keep windows open and maintain air-circulation.

6. Use a mask if attending to a sick person.

DO NOT :
1. Run to a screening center as soon as you get a fever. You might have a common cold or a regular fever.
2. Go on a mask-buying spree.
3. Avoid seeing a doctor when you have a fever which maybe persistent.
4. Start taking Tamiflu as soon as you get a fever. Consult a doctor and then start with the dosage if approved. Complete the 5 days*2 tablets=10 tablets dosage. Not completing the course may have SERIOUS side-effects.

DO stay in touch with doctors and read newspapers regularly to update yourself about the flu.

How dangerous is the Swine flu(H1N1 virus)?

It is not a virus with a very high mortality rate. Less than 1% of the people infected die and that too with underlying diseases( Read People at most Risk) . The symptoms are not so severe for most and it takes around a week to recover.

If you are having a fever :

1. Try to avoid going to places of congregation and restrict your contact with others.\

2. Do not attend school/college or go to the work place.

3. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.

4. Don’t keep your tissues lying around, put them in a wastebasket.

5. Wash our hands regularly.

What should swine flu suspects do?

1. Do not rush for a swine-flu detection test unless fever persists for five days and take the medicines recommended by your doctor.

2. Wash your hands with soap every time you come in contact with another person or object.

3. Maintain hygiene and do not share personal items such as razors, towels, soaps or clothes with others.

4. Avoid crowded areas and use masks.

5. Avoid coming in contact with travellers in case they have fever.

What to do in a home-quarantine?

1. Isolate the patient in a room.

2. Family members should wear a mask especially when communicating.

3. Wash hands regularly with alcohol based gels.

4. The house especially the quarantine room should be cleaned with a strong disinfectant.

5. Pets should be kept away from the infected person(s).

6. Food and drinks should not be shared.

7. Should maintain a 6-feet distance.

Swine Flu screening/check up centers and nodal Institutes & Contact information

Bangalore – Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases,Near NIMHANS,Hombegowda Nagar.Phone- 080-26632634

Chandigarh- Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research ,Sector-12, Chandigarh PIN- 160 012 Phone- 0172-2747585,2746018,2756565

Chennai- Communicable Diseases Hospital,No 187, Thiruvottiyur High Road
Near Apollo Hospital, Tondiarpet Phone- 044- 25912686,25912687,25912688

Hyderabad- Government Chest Hospital,E S I Hospital Road, S R Nagar
Erragadda Phone- 040-23814421,23814422

Kolkata- Infectious Diseases(ID) Hospital,57, Beliaghata, Beleghata Road.
Phone-033-23701251, 23701252, 23601251, 23601252

Mumbai- Kasturba Hospital,Sane Guruji Road,Jacob Circle,Opp Arthur Road Jail,Mahalaxmi. Phone- 022-23083901,23054831, 23004325

New Delhi- Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital,Ward No 5, Baba Kharak Singh Marg,Connaught Place. Phone-011-23921401,2452511

Pune- Naidu Hospital,Near Le Meridian Hotel,Raja Bahadur Mill, Pune GPO
Phone-020-26058243,26058842

Websites: www.swinefluindia.com
www.swineflu-india.org

Private hospitals and medical research centers are still waiting for permission for testing H1N1 but, may soon be given approval due to the overwhelming load on the Govt. centers. Such tests may cost you from Rs.5000-10000.

The afore-mentioned information has been taken from The Times of India which deserves kudos for the efficient inputs it has given during the time of this flu crisis, the work of responsible journalism.