The spread of swine flu is fast emerging as No 1 healthcare emergency not just
in the country but the world over. Despite the issue being in the media for a
long time, there continue to be ignorance and mis-information about the disease
and how to handle it. Indian Medical Association, Nagpur Centre, has come up
with a information dossier on the subject. We reproduce it here for the benefit
of our readers.
What is H1N1 (swine) flu?
 
H1N1 (referred to as "swine flu" early on) is a new influenza virus causing
illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United
States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada , have also
reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from
person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza
viruses spread.
 
In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine
influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near
San Antonio , Texas .
 
In the beginning it was difficult to predict the effect of this virus on general
population. In seasonal flu, there are certain people who are at higher risk of
serious flu-related complications. This includes people with 65 years of more
age, children below five years, pregnant women, and people of any age with
chronic medical conditions.
 
This virus is contagious but, at this time, it not known how easily the virus
spreads between people. The symptoms of H1N1 swine flu in people are similar to
the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body
aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhoea and
vomiting associated with H1N1 swine flu. Severe illness (pneumonia and
respiratory failure) and even deaths have been reported with H1N1 swine flu
infection. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying
chronic diseases.
 
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
 
* Fast breathing or difficulty in breathing
* Bluish or gray skin colour
* Not drinking enough fluids
* Severe or persistent vomiting
* Not waking up or not interacting
* Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
 
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
 
* Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* Sudden dizziness
* Confusion
* Severe or persistent vomiting
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
 
How do you catch H1N1 (swine) flu?
 
Spread of H1N1 (swine) flu can occur in two ways:
 
H1N1 virus appears to be transmitted the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu
viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by
people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching
something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
 
How can someone with the flu infect someone else?
 
Infected people can infect others right from day one even before they themselves
develop any symptoms up to seven or more days after becoming sick. That means
that one can pass on the infection to someone else before he/she even knows that
he/she is sick, as well as while one is sick.
 
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
 
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against H1N1 (swine) flu.
There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause
respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your
health:
 
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the
tissue in the trash after you use it.
 
* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or
sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
* Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
* If you get sick with influenza, you should stay at home and not go for work or
school and limit contact with others to prevent them from getting infecting by
you.
* Reduce the time spent in the crowded settings.
* Improve airflow in the living space by opening the windows and proper
ventilation.
* Practice good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food,
and keeping physically active.
 
How long can influenza virus remain viable on objects (such as books and
doorknobs)?
 
Studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces
and can infect a person for up to 2-8 hours after being deposited on the
surface.
 
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with
germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or
sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a
person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a
desk, for example, and then touches his own eyes, mouth or nose before washing
hands.
 
Are there medicines to treat H1N1 (swine) flu?
 
Yes, use of oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu ?) or zanamivir (brand name Relenza
?) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these H1N1 (swine)
influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or
an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing
in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and
make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick
(within two days of symptoms).
 
Follow the advice of your local public health department regarding school
closures, avoiding crowds and other measures to reduce flu transmission. These
measures will continue to be important after a novel H1N1 vaccine is available
because they can prevent the spread of other viruses that cause respiratory
infections.
 
What should I do if I get sick?
 
If you live in areas where people have been identified with new H1N1 flu and
become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or
stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhoea, you should stay home
and avoid contact with other people, except to seek medical care. If you have
severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your
health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will
determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.
 
Antiviral drugs may reduce the symptoms and duration of illness, just as they do
for seasonal influenza. They also may contribute to preventing severe disease
and death. WHO is in touch with public health authorities and clinicians in
affected countries and is gathering information about how effective the drugs
are.
 
What about using a mask? What does WHO recommend?
 
If you are not sick you do not have to wear a mask. If you are caring for a sick
person, you can wear a mask when you are in close contact with the ill person
and dispose of it immediately after contact, and clean your hands thoroughly
afterwards.
 
If you are sick and have to travel or be around others, cover your mouth and
nose.
 
Using a mask correctly in all situations is essential. Incorrect use actually
increases the chance of spreading infection.
 
How do I know if I have influenza A (H1N1)?
 
You will not be able to tell the difference between seasonal flu and influenza A
(H1N1) without medical help. Typical symptoms to watch for are similar to
seasonal viruses and include fever, cough, headache, body aches, sore throat and
runny nose. Only your medical practitioner and local health authority can
confirm a case of influenza A (H1N1). If they suspect any symptoms they will
send your blood sample, throat swab and nasopharyngeal (nose to mouth) for
testing to laboratories. Presently this facility is available only at certain
specified government laboratories.
 








 


 

GOVERNMENT AUTHORIZED HOSPITALS FOR TREATMENT OF SWINE FLU
 




City

Hospital

Address

Contact


Chennai

King Institute of Preventive Medicine (24/7 Service)

Guindy, Chennai – 32

(044) 22501520, 22501521 & 22501522


Communicable Diseases Hospital

Thondiarpet, Chennai

(044) 25912686/87/88, 9444459543


Government General Hospital

Opp. Central Railway Station, Chennai – 03

(044) 25305000, 25305723, 25305721, 25330300


Pune

Naidu Hospital

Nr Le'Meridian, Raja Bahadur Mill, GPO, Pune – 01

(020) 26058243


National Institute of Virology

20A Ambedkar Road , Pune – 11

(020) 26006290


Kolkata

ID Hospital

57,Beliaghata, Beliaghata Road , Kolkata - 10‎

(033) 23701252


Coimbatore

Government General Hospital

Near Railway Station,
Trichy Road , Coimbatore – 18

(0422) 2301393, 2301394, 2301395, 2301396


Hyderabad

Govt. General and Chest Diseases Hospital ,

Erragadda, Hyderabad

(040) 23814939


Mumbai

Kasturba Gandhi Hospital

Arthur Road, N M Joshi Marg, Jacob Circle , Mumbai - 11

(022) 23083901, 23092458, 23004512


Sir J J Hospital

J J Marg, Byculla, Mumbai - 08

(022) 23735555, 23739031, 23760943, 23768400 / 23731144 / 5555 / 23701393 / 1366


Haffkine Institute

Acharya Donde Marg, Parel, Mumbai – 12

(022) 24160947, 24160961, 24160962


Kochi

Government Medical College

Gandhi Nagar P O, Kottayam - 08

(0481) 2597311,2597312


Government Medical College

Vandanam P O, Allapuzha - 05

(0477) 2282015


Taluk Hospital

Railway Station Road , Alwaye, Ernakulam

(0484) 2624040  Sathyajit - 09847840051


Taluk Hospital

Perumbavoor PO , Ernakulam 542

(0484) 2523138  Vipin - 09447305200


Gurgaon &
Delhi

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)

Ansari Nagar, Aurobindo Marg Ring Road , New Delhi – 29

(011) 26594404, 26861698  Prof. R C Deka - 9868397464


National Institute for Communicable Diseases

22, Sham Nath Marg,
New Delhi – 54

(011) 23971272/060/344/524/449/326


Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital

Kharak Singh Marg,
New Delhi – 01

(011) 23741640, 23741649, 23741639
Dr. N K Chaturvedi – 9811101704


Vallabhai Patel Chest Institute

University Enclave, New Delhi- 07

(011) 27667102, 27667441, 27667667, 27666182


Bangalore

Victoria Hospital

K R Market, Kalasipalayam, Bangalore – 02

(080) 26703294  Dr. Gangadhar - 94480-49863


SDS Tuberculosis & Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases

Hosur Road, Hombegowda Nagar, Bangalore – 29

(080) 26631923  Dr. Shivaraj - 99801-48780
  STAY ALERT! PREVENT AGAINST SWINE FLU

 


 
 




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]