We use this platform to spread awareness of the rapidly spreading Swine Flu Epidemic in the country.
Certainly not wanting to create an air of panic or hysteria, we came across this quote whilst doing some research on swine flu and pandemic flu in general. It’s definitely food for thought……
“An influenza pandemic of even moderate impact will result in the biggest single human disaster ever - far greater than AIDS, 9/11, all wars in the 20th century and the recent tsunami combined. It has the potential to redirect world history as the Black Death redirected European history in the 14th century.” – Michael T. Osterholm, Director, Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota
Let’s get some clarity on the questions spinning our head.
What is SWINE FLU?
Swine influenza virus (referred to as SIV) refers to influenza cases that are caused by Orthomyxovirus endemic to pig populations. SIV strains isolated to date have been classified either as Influenza(virus C or one of the various subtypes of the genus Influenza virus A)
What are the symptoms of this flu?
The symptoms of Swine Flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Seek emergency care if:
CHILDREN:
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
· Fast breathing or trouble breathing
· Bluish skin colour
· Not drinking enough fluids
· Not waking up or not interacting
· Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
· Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
· Fever with a rash
ADULTS:
· Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
· Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
· Sudden dizziness
· Confusion
· Severe or persistent vomiting
How is it diagnosed?
To diagnose Swine Influenza ‘A’ infection, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus). However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer. Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus
How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset.
Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
How long can viruses live outside the body?
We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent hand washing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.
What are the precautionary measures?
Right now there is no available vaccine to protect humans from Swine Flu. One can follow the below precautionary measures:
· Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
· Aerosols spread the virus in any environment
· If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick.
· You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
· Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick
· Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
· Hand washing proved to be best procedure in prevention of Majority of Communicable diseases.
· Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth
· Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious.
· Restrict unnecessary movement to the high Risk Areas.
· Cover your mouth and nose. Use a tissue when you cough or sneeze and drop it in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue, cover your mouth and nose as best you can.
· Clean your hands often. Clean your hands every time you cough or sneeze. Hand washing stops germs. Alcohol-based gels and wipes also work well.
We urge all our readers to take utmost care of themselves as well as their families and hope & pray that this epidemic dies its death soon.
Take care!!!
(Source: http://indiastudychannel.com )
GOVERNMENT AUTHORIZED HOSPITALS FOR TREATMENT OF SWINE FLU
Note: Go Nowhere Else!
Chennai
King Institute of Preventive Medicine (24/7 Service)
Guindy, Chennai – 32
(044) 22501520, 22501521 & 22501522
Communicable Diseases Hospital
Thondiarpet, Chennai
(044) 25912686/87/88, 9444459543
Government General Hospital
Opp. Central Railway Station, Chennai – 03
(044) 25305000, 25305723, 25305721, 25330300
Pune
Naidu Hospital
Nr Le'Meridian, Raja Bahadur Mill, GPO, Pune - 01
(020) 26058243
National Institute of Virology
20A Ambedkar Road, Pune - 11
(020) 26006290
Kolkata
ID Hospital
57,Beliaghata, Beliaghata Road, Kolkata - 10
(033) 23701252
Coimbatore
Government General Hospital
Near Railway Station,
Trichy Road, Coimbatore - 18
(0422) 2301393, 2301394, 2301395, 2301396
Hyderabad
Govt. General and Chest Diseases Hospital,
Erragadda, Hyderabad
(040) 23814939
Mumbai
Kasturba Gandhi Hospital
Arthur Road, N M Joshi Marg, Jacob Circle, Mumbai - 11
(022) 23083901, 23092458, 23004512
Sir J J Hospital
J J Marg, Byculla, Mumbai - 08
(022) 23735555, 23739031, 23760943, 23768400 / 23731144 / 5555 / 23701393 / 1366
Haffkine Institute
Acharya Donde Marg, Parel, Mumbai - 12
(022) 24160947, 24160961, 24160962
Kochi
Government Medical College
Gandhi Nagar P O, Kottayam - 08
(0481) 2597311,2597312
Government Medical College
Vandanam P O, Allapuzha - 05
(0477) 2282015
Taluk Hospital
Railway Station Road, Alwaye, Ernakulam
(0484) 2624040 Sathyajit - 09847840051
Taluk Hospital
Perumbavoor PO, Ernakulam 542
(0484) 2523138 Vipin - 09447305200
Gurgaon &
Delhi
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
Ansari Nagar, Aurobindo Marg Ring Road, New Delhi - 29
(011) 26594404, 26861698 Prof. R C Deka - 9868397464
National Institute for Communicable Diseases
22, Sham Nath Marg,
New Delhi - 54
(011) 23971272/060/344/524/449/326
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital
Kharak Singh Marg,
New Delhi - 01
(011) 23741640, 23741649, 23741639
Dr. N K Chaturvedi – 9811101704
Vallabhai Patel Chest Institute
University Enclave, New Delhi- 07
(011) 27667102, 27667441, 27667667, 27666182
Bangalore
Victoria Hospital
K R Market, Kalasipalayam, Bangalore - 02
(080) 26703294 Dr. Gangadhar - 94480-49863
SDS Tuberculosis & Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases
Hosur Road, Hombegowda Nagar, Bangalore - 29
(080) 26631923 Dr. Shivaraj - 99801-48780
