H1N1 is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. It is commonly known as Swine Flue. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009.This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. It has already started spreading in India in cities like Chennai , Pune , Hyderabad and Delhi. Pune has been hardly hit in India . Commonly used medicine for H1N1 is tamiflu , which is not to be sold at local chemists.
The symptoms of swine flu are broadly the same as those of ordinary flu, but may be more severe and cause more serious complications. The typical symptoms are sudden fever (a high body temperature of 38C/100.4F or above), and sudden cough.
Other symptoms may include:
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Chills
- Aching muscles
- Limb or joint painupset
- Sore throat
- Diarrhoea
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Loss of appetite.
Most people who have contracted swine flu recover within a week and do not suffer complications, even without being given antiviral medication. However, experts point out that as this is a new virus, its behavior cannot be predicted with certainty.
Why this new H1N1 virus is sometimes called "swine flu"?
This virus was originally referred to as "swine flu" because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and avian genes and human genes. Scientists call this a "quadruple reassortant" virus.
Testing for H1N1 Flu or H5N1 Flu in Humans?
Tests for flu in humans that can quickly and accurately diagnosis new flu strains can be an important tool to reduce human exposure to emerging influenza viruses. Such tests represent major steps toward protecting the public from the threat of pandemic flu. Speedy and accurate diagnosis for the new H1N1 flu (swine flu) in humans is essential to early treatment. The Food and Drug Administration has authorized emergency use of a rapid test for swine flu in humans. Currently only government hospitals are treating swine flu patients in India.
Safety Tips:
Follow the same actions that you take to prevent any flu — stay healthy yourself and avoid the germs and viruses spread by people who are sick with the flu.
Take common-sense steps to limit the spread of germs. Make good hygiene a habit.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water, preferrably with luke warm water.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Put used tissues in a wastebasket.
- Cough or Sneeze into your upper sleeve if you don't have a tissue.
- Clean your hands after coughing or sneezingor wiping your nose.
- Use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
- Stay at home if you are sick. Restrict physical contact with people at home to avoid spreading the Flu.
- It is always a good idea to practice good health habits.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Be sure to eat a variety of foods, including plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grain products. Also include low-fat dairy products, lean meats, poultry, fish, and beans.
- Drink lots of water and go easy on salt, sugar, alcohol, and saturated fat.
- Exercise on a regular basis and get plenty of rest.
Using Face Masks or respirators to protect from Swine flu:
- Avoid close contact (less than about 6 feet away) with the sick person to the maximum extent.
- If you must have close contact with the sick person (for example, hold a sick infant), spend the least amount of time possible in close contact and try to wear a facemask for surgical mask or N95 disposable respirator.
- An N95 respirator that fits snugly on your face can filter out small particles that can be inhaled around the edges of a facemask, but compared with a facemask it is harder to breathe through an N95 mask for long periods of time.
- Facemasks and respirators may be purchased at a pharmacy.
- Wear an N95 respirator if you help a sick person with respiratory treatments using a nebulizer or inhaler, as directed by their doctor.
- Respiratory treatments should be performed in a separate room away from common areas of the house when at all possible. Used facemasks and N95 respirators should be taken off and placed immediately in the regular trash so they don’t touch anything else.
- Avoid re-using disposable facemasks and N95 respirators, if possible.
- If a reusable fabric facemask is used, it should be laundered with normal laundry detergent and tumble-dried in a hot dryer. After you take off a facemask or N95 respirator, clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Where can we get N95 masks at Hyderabad?
N95 respiratory masks used to be available on majot chemist stores across Hyderabad at a price of 40 to 60 indian rupees. But currently due to increased demand , price of N95 masks has gone drastically. But are still available on all major chemist stores.
If you have any of the above mentioned symptoms and you are at Hyderbad, India please to the below mentioned hospital
Govt. General and Chest Diseases Hospital,
Erragadda,
Hyderabad
Phone Number :(040) 23814939
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