There has been a spike in the number of positive H1N1 cases reported in Bengaluru in the month of September. October has been no different and the causes attributed to the increasing prevalence include changes in weather and rains. There were 68 positive cases during the first week of October, which further increased by 21 in a matter of some days.
This disease is caused by a strain of the influenza A virus and was found to have been transmitted to humans from pigs. H1N1 can also be fatal if not treated on time. Its symptoms include a cough, sore throat, fever, headache, nausea and vomiting.
Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee, Dr KK Aggarwal, former national president of Indian Medical Association, said: “Swine flu presents with fever of more than 1,000 F with cough or sore throat in the absence of any other main cause. The diagnosis is confirmed with a lab test using Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. Mild or uncomplicated flu or Swine Flu is characterised by fever, cough, sore throat, nasal discharge, muscle pain, headache, chills, malaise and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting. In mild cases, there is no shortness of breath.”
Progressive swine flu is characterised by above symptoms along with chest pain, increased respiratory rate, decreased oxygen in the blood, laboured breathing in children, low blood pressure, confusion, altered mental status, severe dehydration and exacerbation of underlying asthma, renal failure, Diabetes, heart failure, angina or COPD. In the pregnant women, flu can cause more serious complications.