The medical experts are of the view that the information about the disease is the best way to combat swine flu. The disease has taken a toll on the lives of 596 people across the country from January 1 till February 15.
The maximum number of deaths has occurred in the States of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Telangana, where the health services and awareness level are relatively poorer. Interestingly, Delhi has reported a staggering number of 1,300 cases of the disease out of which only six patients have died.
The experts say that the relatively less number of deaths in Delhi reflect the better awareness levels in the people of State capital due to which they consulted the doctors in time. Maximum 130 people have succumbed to the disease in Rajasthan alone, Gujarat with 117 deaths and Madhya Pradesh with 57 deaths follow suit.
The disease of swine flu spreads from a virus called H1 N1, its genetic analysis reveals that it has originated from the animals specially pigs hence it is called Swine flu. The virus spreads from person to person similar to that of seasonal influenza.
The World Health Organisation has categorized the patients on the basis of symptoms of the disease. In ‘A’ category people with symptoms like slight pain in throat accompanied with running nose and fever are grouped. In the 'B' category patients with low immunity levels with fever and sore throat are kept while in C category diabetic patients and those on wrong side of fifty years of the age with the above mentioned symptoms of disease are kept.
The patients in the category ‘C’ are most threatened and need immediate hospitilisation. As a preventive measure people should desist from going to crowded places like malls, markets and cinema halls. Regular washing of hands with soap before eating anything is recommended as best preventive step for the disease.