Swine Flu

The outbreak of Swine Flu in India has vexed everyone. According to Mumbai-based Dr. Rajan Bhonsle, the key to this problem is to educate oneself and others about the virus.

Here are few facts about swine flu that you should know and tell others:-

About swine flu?

• H1N1 (commonly known as swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by Type A influenza viruses.
• It was first detected in 1987 and is not a new infection.

What are the symptoms?

• Fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, lack of appetite, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

Transmission method? (Is wearing a mask helpful?)

• Easily transmittable through droplets on the skin, direct contact, sneezing and coughing of the infected person. Hence, wearing masks are of limited help until it’s worn as a fashion statement.

Note: However, a well-fitted, FDA-approved mask together with other preventive measures MAY reduce the risk of contracting the flu.

(source- CDC)

What is the best way to keep from spreading of the virus?

• An excellent technique of preventing swine flu from thinning out is by asking the person having the symptoms of flu to take rest at home, so that the virus is not transmitted to someone else.
• Avoid crowded places as virus density multiplies in re-circulated space.
• Wash your hands or clean it with some alcohol-based cleaner on regular basis. And avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth frequently.

• Have healthy food. Consume food (such as beans, nuts, meat, and poultry) that has minerals such as selenium and zinc because it keeps the immune system strong.

How long can a flu infected person infect others?

• The infective period of swine flu is 5 days (one day before onset of the symptoms and 4 days after). Therefore, an infected person can affect others before himself/ herself knowing that he/she is sick
• Patient (adult) may infect others for next 7 days from shedding influenza viruses. Number of days may exceed in children and aged.

Are there medicines to treat this pandemic flu?

• Yes. The US CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) for this pandemic flu.

What should be done immediately?

• Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen to a hospital laboratory for testing. You can refer to the information below to take immediate steps on swine flu infection.

Outbreak Monitoring Cell (Control Room, NICD): 011-23921401

Websites: www.mohfw.nic.in and www.nicd.nic.in
Toll free number 2392 1401 at the National Institute of Communicable Disease

Can people catch swine flu from eating pork?

• No, it’s not a foodborne illness. It is transmitted just like a normal flu — through airborne droplets from a sick person’s cough or sneeze.

Media is just blowing swine flu out of proportion and trying to build frenzy among lay people. Keep in mind, the virus is in the air, no one can stop it — however our body is already developing immunity so there is nothing to panic.

Indeed I am surprise to find people selling masks of Rs 20/- which are available to less than a rupee in the market!

Who is benefitting? Don’t join the bandwagon but stick to science and extend your help in spreading the scientific knowledge to all — this should be the order of the day.