With H1N1 affecting 2,460 people and killing 600 till now this year, SHAlINI SAKSENA tells you all about this flu that is back with a vengeance

VUlNERABlE REGIONS

A cumulative analysis of this flu infection trends done by the National Institute of Virology shows that cities in the Indo-Gangetic heartland like Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, lucknow, among others, are more susceptible to Swine Flu during the rainy season. Since most of India is under the spell of monsoon, people are at a risk of being infected by H1NI.

THE COMPlICATIONS

Swine flu can trigger serious complications such as severe pneumonia and respiratory failure in an individual, and the situation can worsen in persons with pre-existing asthma or other pulmonary disorders. Across the globe, swine flu is most commonly noted in children aged 5 years and older. If you are infected with H1N1, keep in mind that till the fever doesn’t go away soon, 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.

SPREAD

A contagious, air-borne respiratory disease caused by a strain of the influenza virus, swine flu spreads the same way as common seasonal flu — via coughing, sneezing, person to person, touching various surfaces, and even touching one’s own mouth or face. Notably, swine flu viruses may mutate with time and become more easily transmissible.

THE TREATMENT

This largely includes supportive care, bed rest, adequate fluid consumption and using cough suppressants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for fever. Severe cases may even require intravenous hydration.

Avoid being in close contact with the infected person to protect yourself. Proper vaccination is the best way to prevent H1NI. Both the injectable vaccine and vaccines in the nasal spray forms are available. The Centre of Disease Control in the US recommends having a yearly flu vaccination for anyone who is above six months.

— Dr Deepak Verma, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Columbia Asia Hospital, Ghaziabad

VUlNERABlE AGE GROUP

•  less than 5
• 65 or more
• Children below 18 with long-term Asprin therapy
• Pregnant women
• Patients with chronic lung disease
• HIV positive patients

HOW PIGS SPREAD IT

People who are in close contact with pigs are more at risk of being infected by H1N1. The meat of an infected animal does not necessarily lead to infection if properly cooked, however consumption is not advised during the monsoon months when the virus is active. When an infected animal coughs or sneezes, the virus strain transmits from the animal to humans and then passes on from one person to another through sneezes, coughs or physical contact.

SYMPTOMS

People having HINI virus can be contagious one day before they begin to show symptoms and a week after they fall sick. Initial symptoms would include cough, cold, runny nose, body ache, headache, fever, sore throat, joint pains, diarrhoea and vomiting or fatigue and shortness of breath at times. It can also result in abnormal nasal secretions, decreased appetite, and restlessness. The other symptoms are chills, Pneumonia or lung infections

— Dr Atul Ahuja, MD (Paediatrics), Vatika Hospital, Gurugram

MYTH

You can’t catch swine flue from consuming bacon, ham or any other pork product. Avoid pork products during the outbreak

THE AlTERNATE

When seasons change, especially during the monsoon months, when the temperature drops and humidity increases, the immunity level (ojas) and energy (bal) depletes. This weakens the defence mechanism of the body and exposes the body to the risks of flu and other similar diseases.

Ayurveda describes symptoms that is similar to that of swine flu known as vata-sleshmak jvar. This can be treated with the help herbal medicines that have high anti-viral and immunity boosting properties.

Home remedies

• Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder and consume it twice or thrice daily. This relieves swine flu symptoms like cold, nasal congestion and sore throat.
• Add  tsp ginger powder, one tsp honey, juice of half a lemon in a cup of warm water and gargle. This gives relief to sore throat. Repeat this every two-three hours.
• Consuming lemon tea relieves cough and headaches.
• Fresh garlic cloves have good anti-viral properties and helps in preventing viral infections such as swine flu.
• Aloe vera juice is a good immunity booster and relieves joint pains.

Prevention

Ayurveda considers prevention to be better than cure and Swine Flu is no exception. Here are a few simple tips.

• Keep a safe distance from people infected by the H1N1 virus. Sneezes, coughs, nasal or oral fluids from an infected person can transmit germs to a healthy person.
• Maintain proper ventilation in your house to ensure that fresh air flows in regularly.
• Wash hands after coming in from outdoors. Disinfect all kitchen utensils, kitchen surfaces and children’s toys to avoid risk of infection.
• If possible, carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and disinfect your hands. Do not touch your face or eyes without washing your hand.

— Dr Partap Chauhan, Director, Jiva Ayurveda