BENGALURU: Karnataka has reported 14,917 cases of H1N1 Influenza A since 2010, of which 532 were fatal. This includes the 256 cases and three deaths - one each in Bengaluru Rural, Davanagere and Tumakuru districts - witnessed between January 1 and March 4 this year.
The viral infection had created panic in 200 8-09 with people standing in long queues at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Disease where the drug, Tamiflu, was available. Over the years, H1N1 hasn't triggered panic like Covid-19 as people have developed herd immunity against it.
Dr Shashidhar Bug gi, who helmed RGICD during the H1N1 outbreak in 2008-09, said, "The man v/s viruses is a recurring fight. The only difference between the Covid-19 threat now and H1N1 outbreak in 2008 is that we had medicines ready then. Tamiflu was given to all family members of the patient. People developed herd immunity over months and the fear subsided."
According to Dr Mahesh Kumar, senior consultant physician at Narayana Health, H1N1 cases are seen routinely and some have led to complications. "H1N1 can lead to viral pneumonia in some cases, which can be serious. We have three such cases in our ICU. All three are middle-aged male patients who are being monitored. In contrast, no Covid-19 case in India till now has seen any complication apart from fever. In a hot country like ours, the virus will not survive for a longer duration," he said. When healthy people wear masks, they constantly touch their face to adjust it, which is riskier. "There is no need for them to wear masks. Those who cough/ sneeze can wear them," he added.
"Avoid being in crowded places. Washing hands is important. So is active tracing of cases," said Dr Buggi.
The viral infection had created panic in 200 8-09 with people standing in long queues at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Disease where the drug, Tamiflu, was available. Over the years, H1N1 hasn't triggered panic like Covid-19 as people have developed herd immunity against it.
Dr Shashidhar Bug gi, who helmed RGICD during the H1N1 outbreak in 2008-09, said, "The man v/s viruses is a recurring fight. The only difference between the Covid-19 threat now and H1N1 outbreak in 2008 is that we had medicines ready then. Tamiflu was given to all family members of the patient. People developed herd immunity over months and the fear subsided."
According to Dr Mahesh Kumar, senior consultant physician at Narayana Health, H1N1 cases are seen routinely and some have led to complications. "H1N1 can lead to viral pneumonia in some cases, which can be serious. We have three such cases in our ICU. All three are middle-aged male patients who are being monitored. In contrast, no Covid-19 case in India till now has seen any complication apart from fever. In a hot country like ours, the virus will not survive for a longer duration," he said. When healthy people wear masks, they constantly touch their face to adjust it, which is riskier. "There is no need for them to wear masks. Those who cough/ sneeze can wear them," he added.
"Avoid being in crowded places. Washing hands is important. So is active tracing of cases," said Dr Buggi.
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