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Rajasthan Swine Flu Update: Total death toll reaches 12

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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : May 20, 2014 11:26 AM IST

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Swine flu H1N1The dreaded swine flu has claimed one more life in Rajasthan, taking the death toll in the state to 12 since April 1. A 65-year-old man Sua succumbed to the disease at JLN hospital in Ajmer Sunday, a state medical and health report said Monday. Of these 12 swine flu related deaths in the state, three persons each died in Ajmer and Jaipur, and one victim each in Bhilwara, Rajsamand, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Bikaner and Pali, the report said.

Deceased included six each of men and women, all aged between 26 and 65 years. Of the 156 suspected H1N1 patients who have been shifted to various government and private hospitals in the state, 23 tested positive. Eleven swine flu afflicted patients were discharged after recovery from the hospitals. The 130 patients with negative H1N1 report have been discharged from hospitals after effective treatment, sources said.

Swine flu affects human population after monsoon rains under high humidity after August, but this year due to frequent squall and rains since April, the dreaded virus crept in the atmosphere, the health department officials conjectured.

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Three more swine flu suspected patients were being treated in private hospitals in Jaipur, and one in Udaipur, they said.

What is the swine flu virus?

Swine flu is caused due to 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.

Read everything you wanted to know about swine flu - causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Prevention

Swine flu isn't a disease that you can catch from pigs. It is in fact, a human virus that spreads from one human to another. The virus is extremely contagious. Here are some swine flu prevention tips:

  • It can spread through coughing and sneezing so always cover your face while doing so. And make sure people around you in office or home also follow this.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth too often
  • Maintain a high level of personal hygiene. Always wash your hands before or after eating and particularly after returning from a public place.
  • Sometimes virus can spread through droplets that have remained on surfaces of things like laptops, phones so avoid using someone else's items.
  • Avoid public places, unhygienic conditions, etc.
  • If your city/area is swine-flu endemic, always wear a standard swine flu mask in public places (the H-95 mask which is worn by nurses and doctors while collecting samples from swine flu victims). Normal surgical masks which sell like hot cakes during swine flu season might not give enough protection.
  • If you feel sick and look like you are developing a cold or fever, stay at home and take enough rest. Rest has also been shown to increase 'interferons' which help our immunity to fight the virus better. Keeping away from others also prevents spread of the infection.

Also read: Swine flu: All you need to know

With inputs from PTI

Don't know the symptoms of swine flu? Check out our symptom search to know more about the H1N1 symptoms

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