Swine flu, a name that becomes threat in these days in India, but I wonder how many of us have enough information about the disease and its prevention methods. So I put my efforts and time to dig information which I thought would be relevant and useful. I met doctors, went to the health centers, dug out information from the media (newspaper/internet Television etc.) and then assimilated the information in a document. This post is dedicated to the fighters who have embarked upon a war on the disease.
What is ‘Swine Flu?’
I know everybody is aware of the terminology by this time when I am writing this post due to media circulation. The official name for the "swine flu" we face is A (H1N1) Influenza. Swine Flu is a viral infection and its most common symptoms are fever, running or blocked nose, nausea, chills, cough, soar throat, body ache, weakness and fatigue. One can also experience respiratory problems and can develop diarrhea in case of Swine flu.
There's no way to tell if you have the swine flu unless a respiratory specimen is taken within the first 4-5 days.
How does it spread?
H1N1 virus appears to be transmitted the same way that seasonal flu spreads mainly from person to person. It is commonly spread through coughing, sneezing, or by touching contaminated surface and then touching nose or mouth. People who live in air-conditioned, closed environments are more likely to catch the disease.
When should you Test?
Emergency warning signs in Adults:-
- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Chest pain or abdomen pain
- Dizziness
- Persistent Vomiting
- Symptoms of Flu improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
Emergency warning signs in Children:-
- fast breathing or difficulty in breathing
- Skin color changes into bluish or grey
- Stop interacting
- Not having enough fluids
- Being very irritable
- Fever with rash
Where should you Test?
If you have such symptoms don’t delay, get the help at your hand, go to the centers close to you, they will take blood sample and send to the specified government laboratories. The list of hospitals in the major cities is as follows:
All India toll free H1N1 helpline: 1075 or 1800-11-437
- Delhi: Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital: 011-24525211, 23404328, 23365525
- Deen Dayal Hospital: 011-2512 5259
- Chennai: Communicable Diseases Hospital - 044-25912686.
- Coimbatore Medical College Hospital - 09442012555
- Kolkata: Infectious Diseases Hospital: 09433392182/ 09434009077
- Hyderabad: AP Chest Diseases Hospital: 040-23814939
- Mumbai: Kasturba Hospital: 022-23083901, 23083902, 23083903, 23083904
- Pune: Dr Naidu Infectious Disease Hospital - 09923130909
- Bangalore: Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases - 91-80-26632634
- Lakeside Hospital - 80-5360823
What if you have already got it
- Confine to a room, wearing a mask is must
- Swine flu is most contagious in the initial five days. In the case of children, it can be contagious up to 10 days
What kind of drugs is generally prescribed?
Oseltamivir pills, seltamivir, generic version of Roche’s Tamiflu in India. Tamiflu, which is used worldwide to treat swine flu, is marketed by Swiss company Roche, in India. However, Roche was denied a patent for Tamiflu in India allowing Cipla to manufacture and sell generic version of oseltamivir (Tamiflu).
Gelsemium and Bryonia were the two homeopathic remedies that proved to be effective against the H1N1 strain back then.
How to be Safe
There is always some virus on tabletops, telephones and computers. So try not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth frequently.
Wash hands often with soap and water. Specially after sneezing and coughing
Drink loads of water and get enough sleep. Sleep derivation is an unhealthy habit and can affect your immune system too.
Stay 3-feet distance away from people who have a respiratory infection.
Allow the entry of sun in the house and all enclosed places. Airflow in the living space by opening the windows and proper ventilation is very important.
Make Kitchen and restrooms are clean.
Reduce the time spent in the crowded settings.
More!
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