The infamous “Swine Flu” or the H1N1 Virus that infected 42,592 people in 2015 out of which it claimed the lives of 3,000 people, is back with a bang again. According to a disclosure by Health Minister, J.P. Nadda in the Rajya Sabha at least 600 people had died due to swine flu as of July 9, 2017.
The virus that acts under swine flu is believed to be a variation of the influenza virus, usually showing similar symptoms as influenza like sneezing, cold, fever, headache, nausea, loss of appetite etc.
As of June, Mahrashtra is the state with the highest death toll soaring up to 284 out of which Pune alone has witnessed 60 deaths and Nashik 31 deaths. Mumbai saw the first death in 2017 of an 18-month old baby who breathed its last in the Kasturba Hospital on 25th April.
A set of advisory instructions were also issued by Chandigarh Health Department in July 2017 after it saw 4 deaths due to the H1N1 Virus.
However, it’s surprising to see such a high death toll in 2017 since the total number of deaths reported in 2016 were as low as 265. The experts at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) blame an “antigenic drift” a sort of an alteration in the virus making it deadlier however they refute the chances of any mutational changes.
The Governments of various states have been made available the medicinal cure for the H1N1 Virus, Tamiflu not only at authorized pharmacies but also licensed chemists, considering the sensitive situation.
Here are a few preventative measures that you must take in order to keep swine flu at bay –
1) Don’t count on seasonal vaccination to protect you from the H1N1 Virus. The vaccination for swine flu is different and you must either get both or at least get the vaccination for H1N1 Virus to tackle swine flu.
2) If you aren’t showing symptoms of the H1N1 Virus then a face mask isn’t recommended for you whereas if you are showing symptoms then you must wear a face mask so as to avoid spreading your illness. Also if you are showing symptoms you must wash your hands often, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue, avoid coming in contact with other people till your symptoms have been recognized or if you haven’t had fever for a period of 24 hours. And also stay 6 feet away from any person who is showing the symptoms. In case you are using a face mask throw it after using it once.
3) If you see any symptoms of swine flu do not ignore them, visit a doctor and get yourself tested. Common swine flu symptoms are - fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue; diarrhea; severe or persistent vomiting; Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen; sudden dizziness; confusion; and flu like symptoms that improve but re-trigger with worse results.
4) Do not use your arm or hands to cover your face when you sneeze, rather use a tissue.
5) Use an alcohol based hand sanitizer and also wash your hands regularly with soap and water especially after sneezing.
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