Swine Flu In Punjab: Growing Cases Raise Concern, Advisory Issued For Safety
According to the Health Department, first time since 2018, multiple swine flu cases have been reported during the rainy season.
The swine flu virus we are discussing here is the 2009 H1N1 type A influenza, a human disease. It’s a zoonotic disease which originally was transmitted from pigs to humans and now spreads from one human to another. The symptoms of swine flu are very similar to regular influenza and include fever, headaches, chills, diarrhoea, coughing and sneezing. One can prevent infection by maintaining basic hygiene and wearing a proper surgical mask during flu season. The number of cases shoots up during the summers and monsoon seasons. There are various vaccines available to combat the disease and antiviral treatments for prevention as well. One should however only use these medicines under a doctor’s supervision as indiscriminate use might result in susceptibility to the virus.
Here are 10 facts about swine flu you should know.
Swine flu is a respiratory illness caused by the swine influenza virus (SIV). The pandemic of swine flu was caused by the SIV sub type H1N1. But other subtypes H1N2, H1N3, H3N1, H3N2 and H2N3 can also cause the illness. The virus was termed H1N1 because it mainly exhibited two types of antigens hemagglutinin 1 and neuraminidase 1. Read in detail how does swine flu spread?
The illness is originally known to affect pigs. It is known to have spread to humans who came in direct contact with pigs. However, the new virus or the mutated type of virus that has emerged over the years has the ability to affect humans without direct contact with pigs. The virus is transmitted from person to person through the same medium as other flu viruses.
A healthy person may acquire the infection by inhaling droplets expelled by the infected person while coughing or sneezing or by contacting surfaces infected with the virus. The virus is not transmitted directly by eating cooked pork. Also read can eating chicken cause swine flu?
Since swine flu can directly be transmitted from one person to another through air droplets, people who fail to follow proper hygiene, especially in crowded places are at a high risk of contracting the virus. But, according to observations, there are specific groups of individuals that have been the most affected by the illness.
The group at a high risk includes:
Most of the symptoms of swine flu are quite similar to regular influenza. Symptoms include:
Diagnosis of swine flu influenza A infection is done by laboratory analysis. If you have flu like symptoms, your respiratory specimen will be collected, preferably within 4 to 5 days of visible symptoms. A real time PCR test is done where the viral genetic material is identified.
Here is detailed information on the diagnosis of swine flu.
Once the patient is tested positive for swine flu, treatment needs to be initiated immediately. According to the National Institute of Communicable Disease (NICD), swine flu can be completely treated if it is diagnosed at a very early stage.
The anti‐viral medicines oseltamivir (Tamiflu/Fluvir) and zanamivir (Relenza) are given to diagnosed patients. Oseltamivir is given to in adults as well as to children below the age of 1 year.
As per NICD, the medicine should be administered within 48 hours of the first symptom. The drugs work by inhibiting the ability of virus to release progeny virus particles.
Here is detailed information about swine flu treatment and medicines — Tamiflu, Relenza and more.
People who have a pre-existing condition respiratory problem like COPD or lifestyle disorders like diabetes are usually worst hit by the disease and may suffer from pneumonia, respiratory failure, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, kidney failure and even death. Read about is swine flu curable?
Just like other influenza viruses, H1N1 infection can be prevented by practicing basic hygiene. Here are some tips to prevent swine flu:
According to the Health Department, first time since 2018, multiple swine flu cases have been reported during the rainy season.
Delhi doctors report an increase in swine flu cases, a human respiratory infection caused by influenza strains introduced in pigs.
Many symptoms of swine flu can be similar to those of covid-19 infection, causing a significant problem in treating patients.
Let's know about risk factors associated with swine influenza.
As Mumbai witnesses the first death due to swine flu this monsoon, here we tell you how to keep yourself safe from this infection.
Swine flu cases have been continually increasing in Rajasthan. 56 new swine flu cases have been reported taking the tally of patients to 3,564 in 49 days. So, here are some tips to deal with it.
The case was critical and complex as the foetus had to be protected from the virus while in the womb. Additionally, there was a risk of the mother developing bleeding complications and losing the unborn child. Both the mother and the baby are healthy now.
According to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the H1N1 virus commonly known as swine flu has so far claimed 226 lives across the country.
Forty-four people have so far tested positive for swine flu in Himachal Pradesh.
Practise these yoga poses and stay away from the risks of getting swine flu this winter.
One of the most badly affected states, Rajasthan, saw a death toll of 48 in just the first 19 days of 2019.
Amit Shah (54) is under the observation of the institute's Director Randeep Guleria for treatment of swine flu.
Health officers across the state have been asked to ensure that isolated wards are set up in hospitals for patients affected by H1N1.
In the first eight days of the year, 1,262 samples have been tested out of which 341 samples have tested positive. While 14 people lost their lives to the virus, in 2018, a total of 225 deaths were confirmed in a year, said officials.
A total of 44 new cases tested positive in the state. Overall, 88 cases have tested positive in the state in 2019, with three patients succumbing to the virus in three days from the start of the year, said officials.
Medical and Health Minister Kalicharan Saraf said screening would be done in each and every house in the areas hit by the virus
The government has launched a campaign to educate people about swine flu.
Public Health Department Director Dr V.K. Mathur confirmed that two medicos and a computer operator of Mahila Chikitsalaya had tested positive for the virus on Thursday.
According to the Health Department, first time since 2018, multiple swine flu cases have been reported during the rainy season.
Delhi doctors report an increase in swine flu cases, a human respiratory infection caused by influenza strains introduced in pigs.
Many symptoms of swine flu can be similar to those of covid-19 infection, causing a significant problem in treating patients.
As Mumbai witnesses the first death due to swine flu this monsoon, here we tell you how to keep yourself safe from this infection.
Swine flu cases have been continually increasing in Rajasthan. 56 new swine flu cases have been reported taking the tally of patients to 3,564 in 49 days. So, here are some tips to deal with it.
The case was critical and complex as the foetus had to be protected from the virus while in the womb. Additionally, there was a risk of the mother developing bleeding complications and losing the unborn child. Both the mother and the baby are healthy now.
According to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the H1N1 virus commonly known as swine flu has so far claimed 226 lives across the country.
Forty-four people have so far tested positive for swine flu in Himachal Pradesh.
Practise these yoga poses and stay away from the risks of getting swine flu this winter.
One of the most badly affected states, Rajasthan, saw a death toll of 48 in just the first 19 days of 2019.
Amit Shah (54) is under the observation of the institute's Director Randeep Guleria for treatment of swine flu.
Health officers across the state have been asked to ensure that isolated wards are set up in hospitals for patients affected by H1N1.
In the first eight days of the year, 1,262 samples have been tested out of which 341 samples have tested positive. While 14 people lost their lives to the virus, in 2018, a total of 225 deaths were confirmed in a year, said officials.
A total of 44 new cases tested positive in the state. Overall, 88 cases have tested positive in the state in 2019, with three patients succumbing to the virus in three days from the start of the year, said officials.
Medical and Health Minister Kalicharan Saraf said screening would be done in each and every house in the areas hit by the virus
The government has launched a campaign to educate people about swine flu.
Public Health Department Director Dr V.K. Mathur confirmed that two medicos and a computer operator of Mahila Chikitsalaya had tested positive for the virus on Thursday.
Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and other conditions when a mother can't breastfeed.
Let's know about risk factors associated with swine influenza.