H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, has recently affected scores of people worldwide. From 2009 onwards, India has been witnessing a substantial rise in cases of swine flu. World Health Organization (WHO) declared 2010 as the swine flu pandemic, but though this has passed, the virus had alarmingly reappeared time and again in different parts of India
Swine flu can spread from one person to the other in the same way as common seasonal flu—coughing, sneezing, and touching various surfaces. What is worse, the virus of swine flu may mutate with time and become more easily transmissible. Most commonly, swine flu affects the vulnerable people like children, pregnant women, elderly, people who are immune suppressed like patients with uncontrolled diabetics, cancer,kidney disease, liver disease, transplant patients on immunosuppressants etc.
Since the virus mutates rapidly, there are many types and sub types.
Symptoms appear 1-3 days after exposure to the virus
Fever
Chills
Headache and body ache
Cough, sore throat
Cold
Fatigue
Diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting
Categories of virus
·Category A: symptoms are usually mild, and treatment is symptomatic
·Category B: Fever will be high grade and all above symptoms will be severe. These patients usually need anti viral and should be isolated at home. They need to be reassessed periodically.
·Category C: Symptoms are very severe and there is breathlessness, chest pain, fall in blood pressure, blood tinged sputum, drowsiness, bluish discoloration of nails etc. They require immediate hospitalization and aggressive treatment with respiratory and other forms of support
Prevention and Treatment
Avoiding contact with the sick is key to prevention against H1N1. If you are an office-goer, try to sit in a well-ventilated area. On the other hand, flu vaccination is still the best way to prevent becoming infected with any type of influenza virus. Vaccines are available both as injectable and in the nasal spray forms.
However, once infected, getting the right treatment on time is crucial. If you have persistent, high fever, do not delay diagnosis. Record the temperature at regular interval using a thermometer. If diagnosed with H1N1, it is advisable to be at home as others can get easily infected. The disease may last for about 7-8 days and becomes critical if it persists more than 10 days.
Diagnosis of H1N1 is done by doing a throat swab and is done in approved laboratories only
