Swine flu outbreak: Vaccination for prevention

The weather is changing and while the breezy climate comforting to some people in Telangana, flu outbreak, especially the H1N1 swine flu has caused quite a worrying atmosphere. More than 200 cases have been detected with H1N1 swine flu, and 16 deaths have already been confirmed due to it as per Telangana Government in a recent report.

While symptoms of flu are often ignored and taken casually by most people; the flu is often confused with another virus, the common cold, because of the similarity in symptoms, which can include a cough, sore throat, and stuffy nose. However, flu symptoms also include fever, cold sweats, aches throughout the body, headache, exhaustion, and even some gastro-intestinal symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhoea.

Swine flu is an airborne infection. It is transmitted from person to person by inhalation or ingestion of droplets containing virus from people sneezing or coughing. The time taken to cause symptoms from the time of getting infected (incubation time) is one to four days. It is found to be more active in winter.

This means that it's more likely that you can catch the virus and get sick when it’s cold outside. In determining how severe the symptoms can be, includes multiple factors such as, patient’s age and medical history.

It is important that one does not ignore any symptoms, but consult a doctor at the earliest because H1N1 swine flu can progress rapidly causing complications that can be life-threatening, especially in people with another illness, old people or in pregnant women and children. Even though there are medications available for H1N1 swine flu, these are very expensive and may not be fully effective.

The best way to protect oneself is to prevent it, as it is said, ‘prevention is always better than cure’.

• Avoid contact with people suffering from cough, cold, sneezing etc.
• If you are suffering from the symptoms, it is advisable to stay indoors
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or handkerchief when coughing or sneezing
• Wash your hands often and keep a hand sanitizer handy
• Get sufficient sleep as the body can cope with stress if you are well rested
• Eat nutritious food, include lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet
• Drink lots of water
• Avoid crowded places
• It is a good idea to vaccinate yourself and family members with a flu vaccine too

WHO has recommended that yearly influenza vaccination should be routinely offered, particularly to people at risk of complications of influenza and those individuals who live with or care for high-risk individuals. Vaccines come in the range of Rs 700 to Rs 1,000. Once yearly dose just before the winter season is a good idea for protection.

If you fall sick with flu like symptoms, do not ignore or self-medicate, consult a doctor. (The writer is Chairman and Chief Consulting Officer, Krishna Children’s Hospital.)

By Dr Sudarshan Reddy