Concern about Swine flu (H1N1) is on the rise in the State with at least two persons succumbing to the seasonal influenza virus in the month of October.
On an average three to six positive cases out of 30 to 40 samples tested were being detected per day. Of all the districts, maximum positive cases — 39 cases — were reported from Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, according to the officials of Public Health and Family Welfare Department.
With the spurt in the number of positive cases of H1N1, the Department has issued guidelines to all the public health officials and government hospitals regarding effective management of seasonal influenza to contain its spread.
The Epidemic Division of the Department in its status report said that from August 1 to October 6, out of 839 samples tested 80 positive cases of H1N1 were reported and five deaths were reported due to Swine flu.
Stay at home
In Gandhi Hospital, seven patients have been undergoing treatment, including three from outside Hyderabad. The condition of one patient is critical.
Director, Public Health and Family Welfare, G. Srinivasa Rao told The Hindu that there was no need to panic as long as one observed personal hygiene and those suffering from flu symptoms confined themselves to home and took adequate rest.
The period of seasonal influenza normally is from October to December.
About 95% to 98% of people have self-immunity and recover on their own. But vulnerable categories of people — pregnant women, those above 65 years of age, children below five years, patients with co-morbid conditions like lung, liver, heart, kidney, blood or neurological diseases and children with mild illness but with predisposing risk factors — should be careful.
For those suffering with fever, sore throat with or without body ache, headache, no testing for influenza was required but they should stay at home and take rest for one to two days.
If they also suffer from breathlessness, chest pain, drowsiness, fall in blood pressure, sputum mixed with blood, along with above symptoms, then testing will be required for H1N1 and immediate hospitalisation with Oslatamivir and broad specturm antibiotics, the guidelines issued by the Public Health Department said.
Patient isolation
H1N1 is an acute respiratory infection and it is airborne and caused by influenza virus. The viral infection causes flu like symptoms such as cough, fever and body pains, among others.
The basic precaution everyone has to take is personal hygiene and those suffering from any kind of flu should restrain themselves from going to public places and even at home, they should isolate themselves as there is risk of infection spreading from droplets, doctors said.