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1,200 swine flu cases reported in state so far
Ever since the first incidence of swine flu came to light this year in Tiruvallur district, health officials have stepped up screening procedures and awareness campaigns. However, in just less than two months, the number of cases being reported have crossed 1,200.
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Chennai
Officials claim the death toll for the seasonal disease so far to be around 10. “Nine cases were confirmed and 1 or 2 more are under audit,” said Dr K Kolandaisamy, director, Public Health. While the official toll has been reported at 10, the numbers in other districts indicate a higher prevalence of the infection and deaths.
For example, in Madurai five have died due to swine flu since January. Doctors said that it was difficult to estimate the precise number of deaths due to the infection as many get admitted for fever and only after examination that they were shifted to special ward.
According to the doctors in the southern districts, the toll could be anywhere between 15-20 people. Similarly, in the delta, including Tiruchy, the deaths may be around 13 so far. In the western region, nearly 20 people have died so far and more than 100 cases have been reported in the hospitals across Coimbatore. However, health officials maintain that all the deaths were not due to swine flu. Surprisingly no deaths were reported in Tiruvallur district, where the infection first surfaced with as many as 67 cases, said Dr J Prabakaran, deputy director health.
“This year, the infections are more cyclic and virulent than usual, so we are educating the public to come for early diagnosis,” Kolandaisamy said and added “Doctors are advised to administer Oseltamivir for those in the B category i.e. those with symptoms like cold, body pain, apart from high-grade fever and in highrisk category.”
“For those in the C category who require hospitalisation, we tell doctors not to wait for lab results and go with clinical indications to treat the infection,” said the director of Public Health.
FIGHT AGAINST FLU
Influenza, commonly known as “the flu”, and swine flu, one of its forms, is now viral across the state. A brief look at various flus, symptoms, preventive and counter measures to be adopted
Common symptoms:
- High fever, running nose, sore throat, pain in muscles, headache, coughing and tiredness.
- Effect felt two days after exposure to virus and lasts less than a week.
- Cough may persist for more time.
- Children may get nausea and vomiting, but not common among adults.
Complications:
Complications of influenza may include viral pneumonia, secondary bacterial pneumonia, sinus infections, worsening of existing health problems like asthma or heart failure.
Influenza infections reaches peak prevalence during winter.
Types of influenza viruses:
Influenza A: Wild aquatic birds host this type; May create devastating outbreak in domestic poultry and may spread to human influenza pandemics.
Influenza B: Exclusively infects humans; Less common than influenza A; Only seal and ferret are the other living beings susceptible to this type. Possibility of Pandemic of B type is very remote.
Influenza C: This type has only one species; Infects humans, dogs and pigs; Causes mild disease in children.
Influenza D: This species for this family is Bovine. Influenza D virus which was first isolated in 2012.
Mass killer incidents:
Some of the massive human pandemic deaths in the past are: H1N1, which caused Spanish Flu in 1918 andSwine Flu in 2009, H2N2 which caused Asian Flu in 1957, H3N2 which caused Hong Kong Flu in 1968,H5N1 which led to the Bird Flu outbreak in 2004. H1N2 are endemic in humans, pigs and birds
Spreading 3 ways:
Direct transmission through sneezing; airborne route inhaling the virus produced by an infected person and contact with contaminated surfaces
Main variants of flu virus:
Bird flu, human flu, swine flu, horse flu and dog flu
Treatment:
- Take adequate rest, drink plenty of liquids, avoid alcohol and tobacco, take medication to relieve fever and muscle aches.
- Children and teenagers must avoid taking aspirin during the infection, as it can lead to a rare liver disease called Reye’s syndrome which may be fatal.
- Antiviral medication may be effective.
- Two classes of antiviral drugs - neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir and zanamivir) and M2 protein inhibitors (adamantane derivatives).
- Maintain good health and hygiene habits.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap or alcohol-based hand rubs; Avoid spitting.
- Face mask may help prevent transmission.
- Avoid smoking, as it raises risk of producing more severe disease symptoms.
- Sanitizing contact surfaces may help prevent some infections.
- Vaccination for certain strains may give protection for few years.
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