Swine Flu will not kill you! It is flu after all. Thats right it gets you for a term of 5-7 day or at times more, when infected just like any other viral flu. However, with ample rest and care the symptoms ease off, even without medicines. The problem arises when patients with weaker immune system get severe infection and develop secondary complications like lung infection or get existing chronic conditions aggravated. All suspected patients are therefore isolated and treated according to categories A, B or C depending on the severity of their case (as per the guidelines by Health Ministry and Directorate General of Health Services in India. )
If you or any body you know have suspected swine flu like symptoms lately, it is best to know which category it falls under and go about the treatment accordingly. Let me lay it out here.
Flu patients with mild fever, cough/sore throat, headache, body ache, diarrhoea and vomiting fall under Category-A.
They can be isolated and treated, but do not need hospitalization. They do not require H1N1 test either. Such patients are usually treated only for their symptoms and not administered anti-viral medicine Tamiflu (Oseltamivir). They should be monitored for their progress every 24 to 48 hours. They should just stay home and rest up.
It has two sub-categories:
Category BI -
Patients with high grade fever and severe sore throat in addition to Category-A symptoms. They may require proper treatment with administration of Tamiflu (Oseltamivir). However, they can still be under home isolation.
Category BII -
Patients with the symptoms/conditions of Category BI and also fall under the high-risk groups like children under 5 years, pregnant women, adults above 65 years of age and patients with chronic ailments of heart, liver or lungs, kidney, blood, diabetes etc.
Patients of category B do not essentially require H1N1 test but must be isolated and treated with anti-viral medicine.
Patients of category C are high risk patients, those who in addition to the symptoms of categories A & B have advanced symptoms like chest pain, breathlessness, abnormal blood pressure, drowsiness, sputum mixed with blood, low appetite, bluish discoloration of nails or worsening of underlying chronic conditions, or deeply affected organs. Such patients need H1N1 testing and immediate hospitalization and treatment.
Most cases of Swine Flu should not reach the high risk category C.
Lets also debunk a few misconceptions around the disease and understand what’s really happening.
Points to ponder -
1. The initial symptoms include high fever, body ache or headache. Vomiting or diarrhoea are also common. However, these are similar to symptoms of common flu, so it can be confusing. If the fever does not go down with normal antipyretics or is reoccuring within an hour or two of having the medicine then you might need doctor’s advice.
2. You will not get the Swine Flu virus if your immune system is not extremely vulnerable. Even if get it, remember it’s just a flu ! Don’t worry, this virus is in the air since 2009 and our bodies have more or less adjusted to this strain.
3. Only medical masks that is N 95 masks provide protection against swine flu.
4. As mentioned earlier it is just like any other viral and usually resolves on its own within 7 days. You might not need to visit a hospital if you are able to handle the symptoms or not feeling very unwell.
5. Having said that, please visit a doctor if you experience difficulty in breathing or if your child becomes dull, the flu can be dangerous when it develops into pneumonia.
6. Children, elderly, pregnant women, asthmatics and persons with compromised immunity like cancer and heart patients should take extra care wear N-95 mask while moving out, especially in areas you are likely to get an infection.
7. You must not take Tamiflu(or any OTC medicine) without a doctor’s recommendation as due to indiscriminate use the virus may develop resistance against that medicine.
8. Just to hammer it again, Swine Flu is curable and does not kill if treated on time!
Let’s beat Swine Flu! For more information about Swine Flu or the necessary tests or prevention tips you can ask a doctor right away. Click on the link: www.lybrate.com/ask and clear your doubts now.