Fight Against Swine Flu -

'Swine flu' brings up a lot of extra fear and worry, but it is important to note that swine flu is just an influenza A H1N1 virus.

That means that it is just another type of flu virus, just like that causes our typical seasonal flu symptoms. The big difference is that the current swine influenza A (H1N1) virus has components of pig and bird influenza viruses in it, so that humans don't have any immunity to it. That is what has made it more likely that it would become a pandemic virus (have the ability to cause a global outbreak) because it could easily spread from person-to-person.

So far, even as you see swine flu cases increase, experts don't know if this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus will return in the fall for another wave. It could or we just continue to see sporadic cases for a few weeks or months until it stops.

We do know that swine flu symptoms are just like seasonal flu symptoms.

Swine Flu Symptoms
According to the CDC, like seasonal flu, symptoms of swine flu infections can include:
· fever, which is usually high, but unlike seasonal flu, is sometimes absent
· cough
· runny nose or stuffy nose
· sore throat
· body aches
· headache
· chills
· fatigue or tiredness, which can be extreme
· diarrhea and vomiting, sometimes, but more commonly seen than with seasonal flu

Signs of a more serious swine flu infection might include pneumonia and respiratory failure. If your child has symptoms of swine flu, you should avoid other people and call your pediatrician who might do a rapid flu test to see if he has an influenza A infection. Of course, rapid testing is always not accurate and it is best tested at the Government authorized centers listed towards the end of this blog.

Swine Flu High Risk Groups

With regular seasonal flu, infants and the elderly are usually thought to be most at risk for serious infections, in addition to people with chronic medical problems. Swine flu high risk groups, people who are thought to be at risk for serious, life-threatening infections, are a little different and can include:

· pregnant women
· people with chronic medical problems, such as chronic lung disease, like asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and immunosuppression
· children and adults with obesity

Serious Swine Flu Symptoms
More serious symptoms that would indicate that a child with swine flu would need urgent medical attention include:
· Fast breathing or trouble breathing
· Bluish or gray skin color
· Not drinking enough fluids
· Severe or persistent vomiting
· Not waking up or not interacting
· Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
· Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Swine Flu Symptoms vs. a Cold or Sinus Infection
It is important to keep in mind most children with a runny nose or cough will not have swine flu and will not have to see their pediatrician for swine flu testing.
This time of year, many other childhood conditions are common, including:
· spring allergies - runny nose, congestion, and cough
· common cold - runny nose, cough, and low grade fever
· sinus infections - lingering runny nose, cough, and fever
· strep throat - sore throat, fever, and a positive strep test

What You Need To Know
· Swine flu likely spreads by direct contact with respiratory secretions of someone that is sick with swine flu, like if they were coughing and sneezing close to you.
· People with swine flu are likely contagious for one day before and up to seven days after they began to get sick with swine flu symptoms.
· Droplets from a cough or sneeze can also contaminate surfaces, such as a doorknob, drinking glass, or kitchen counter, although these germs likely don't survive for more than a few hours.
· Anti-flu medications, including Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir), are available to prevent and treat swine flu.
· The latest swine flu news from the CDC includes advice that children should not attend summer camps if they have had swine flu symptoms in the previous seven days and that camp staff should be quick to identify campers with swine flu symptoms and separate them from well campers.

GOVERNMENT AUTHORIZED HOSPITALS FOR TREATMENT OF SWINE FLU

Chennai

King Institute of Preventive Medicine (24/7 Service)
Guindy, Chennai – 32
(044) 22501520, 22501521 & 22501522

Communicable Diseases Hospital
Thondiarpet, Chennai
(044) 25912686/87/88, 9444459543

Government General Hospital
Opp. Central Railway Station, Chennai – 03
(044) 25305000, 25305723, 25305721, 25330300

Pune

Naidu Hospital
Nr Le'Meridian, Raja Bahadur Mill, GPO, Pune - 01
(020) 26058243

National Institute of Virology
20A Ambedkar Road, Pune - 11
(020) 26006290

Kolkata

ID Hospital
57,Beliaghata, Beliaghata Road, Kolkata - 10‎
(033) 23701252

Coimbatore

Government General Hospital
Near Railway Station,Trichy Road, Coimbatore - 18
(0422) 2301393, 2301394, 2301395, 2301396

Hyderabad

Govt. General and Chest Diseases Hospital,
Erragadda, Hyderabad
(040) 23814939

Mumbai

Kasturba Gandhi Hospital
Arthur Road, N M Joshi Marg, Jacob Circle, Mumbai - 11
(022) 23083901, 23092458, 23004512

Sir J J Hospital
J J Marg, Byculla, Mumbai - 08
(022) 23735555, 23739031, 23760943, 23768400 / 23731144 / 5555 / 23701393 / 1366

Haffkine Institute
Acharya Donde Marg, Parel, Mumbai - 12
(022) 24160947, 24160961, 24160962

Kerala

Government Medical College
Gandhi Nagar P O, Kottayam - 08
(0481) 2597311,2597312

Government Medical College
Vandanam P O, Allapuzha - 05
(0477) 2282015

Taluk Hospital
Railway Station Road, Alwaye, Ernakulam
(0484) 2624040 Sathyajit - 09847840051

Taluk Hospital
Perumbavoor PO, Ernakulam 542
(0484) 2523138 Vipin - 09447305200

Gurgaon & Delhi

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
Ansari Nagar, Aurobindo Marg Ring Road, New Delhi - 29
(011) 26594404, 26861698 Prof. R C Deka - 9868397464

National Institute for Communicable Diseases
22, Sham Nath Marg,New Delhi - 54
(011) 23971272/060/344/524/449/326

Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital
Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi - 01
(011) 23741640, 23741649, 23741639Dr. N K Chaturvedi – 9811101704

Vallabhai Patel Chest Institute
University Enclave, New Delhi- 07
(011) 27667102, 27667441, 27667667, 27666182

Bangalore

Victoria Hospital
K R Market, Kalasipalayam, Bangalore - 02
(080) 26703294 Dr. Gangadhar - 94480-49863

SDS Tuberculosis & Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases
Hosur Road, Hombegowda Nagar, Bangalore - 29
(080) 26631923 Dr. Shivaraj - 99801-48780

Don't PANIC...

Close your mouth with a handkerchief and immediately consult a doctor.

Take second opinions on the diagnosis, because a victim of Swine Flu died in Pune due to a wrong diagnosis.

If you see any of your housemaids having any of the symptoms ask them to get it checked immediately. Help them as they are the ones who are painfully unaware of this dreadful flu and its consequences.

Please be aware that it spreads through air and hence it spreads very fast to anyone around the infected person.

Spread the news to your friends family or anyone who you see with the symptoms and are not taking the necessary steps.