Kerala School on Alert After H1N1 Case Confirmed: How the Contagious Virus Puts Lives at Risk

Kerala health officials on high alert, after one school student from Kolam tested positive for H1N1. Test results for three more students are awaited after showing H1N1 symptoms.

Health officials in Kerala have confirmed that a Class IX student from a school in Kollam has tested positive for H1N1 fever.

According to reports, test results for three more students from the same class who were showing symptoms of H1N1 are awaited.

The students started exhibiting symptoms on July 13, following which medical tests were conducted. Currently, health officials are on high alert for the fear of an outbreak, which led the decision to screen more students from the school.

What Is H1N1?

H1N1, also known as swine flu, is a respiratory disease of pigs which is caused by a type A influenza virus. Similar to human influenza viruses, there are three subtypes and variants of swine influenza viruses: H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2.

How It Spreads?

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that normally, swine flu does not infect humans; however, sporadic human infection can occur when an individual comes in close contact with infected pigs. And the human cases are referred to a 'variant viruses' denoted with the letter 'v'.

Swine flu can also spread from person to person. When an infected individual coughs or sneezes, droplets go into the air. You can can infected when your breath in or inhal the virus.

Signs And Symptoms Of H1N1

How to know if you are infected by the H1N1 virus? Here are the top warning signs to look out for:

• Fever
• Lethargy (tiredness)
• Lack of appetite
• Coughing
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Eye irritation
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Who Is At Risk Of H1N1?

According to the CDC study, this group of people are at increased risk of developing H1N1: adults 65 years and older, children less than 2 years, people with medical conditions like asthma, chronic lung disease, neurologic and neurodevelopment conditions, blood disorders, endocrine disorders, heart disease, kidney disorders and liver disorders.

Treatments

To treat H1N1, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved four antiviral drugs: oseltamivir, peramivir, zanamivir, and baloxavir.

However, it totally depends on the severity of your infection.

Home Remedies To Treat H1N1

Most healthy people with swine flu don't need special drugs or treatment. Following these home remedies can help you ease your symptoms:

• Get a good rest.
• Drink plenty of fluid, anything like plain water, coconut water, organic juice, bone broth, etc.
• Ensure to eat a light diet.
• Avoid social gatherings.
• Consider taking pain relievers to reduce fever, body aches and pains.

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