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BMC's swine flu audit says delay in medical help leads to death

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's audit of the swine flu deaths that has happened in 2015 has revealed that almost all patients delayed in getting medical help leading to late diagnosis and treatment. So far 18 people have died of swine flu in city hospitals out of which around 12 of them had co- morbid factors.

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Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's audit of the swine flu deaths that has happened in 2015 has revealed that almost all patients delayed in getting medical help leading to late diagnosis and treatment. So far 18 people have died of swine flu in city hospitals out of which around 12 of them had co- morbid factors.

In Mumbai, around 546 Mumbaikars have tested positive for Swine flu. Dr Mangala Gomare, the epidemiology cell in charge in BMC said, "People falling in high risk category shouldn't ignore any of the swine flu symptoms and seek medical help at the earliest. During our assessment of swine flu deaths reported in city hospitals, we found that most of the patients had delayed in approaching doctor and there was delay in starting treatment."

Doctors and BMC have already warned people falling in high risk category to avoid going to crowded places, public gathering as chances of them getting the infection is very high. So far, almost all the Swine flu deaths happening in Mumbai fell in high risk category and were from outskirts of Mumbai except one. Maharashtra is among the top five states that is seeing highest number of swine flu deaths.

Dr Om Srivastava, director, department of infectious diseases who is in charge of the acute care centre at Jaslok hospital said, "The high risk category people have to be extra cautious. Since the immunity is low, they are more prone to getting the infection. Early intervention can prevent complication and mortality."

Seeing the rise in swine flu cases in the city, especially in children, schools have started educating their children and spread awareness on hygiene and swine flu. If figures are to be believed, around 1/4th of the swine flu cases in the city are children.

On the sudden change in weather, Dr Gomare said that though drop in temperature and present condition is favourable for the viruses to flourish, it will be early to predict if the swine flu cases will jump.

"The sudden change in weather is not a good sign. Colder climate is known to propagate viral infections and there may be a spurt of H1N1 infection cases too. High risk people need to be more cautious and report to doctor if they have any of the swine flu symptoms. Self medication should be strictly avoided," said Dr Srivastava.

Dr Srivastava said that those who has been diagnosed with swine flu and are on OPD basis treatment should also observe isolation at home to break the chain of infection.

Agreeing to Dr Srivastava, Dr Hemant Thacker, physician at Breach Candy Hospital said that Mumbaikar should be extra careful so that they don't catch any viral infection. ""Such weather is favourable for viral infection. We will definitely see a rise in respiratory illnesses. With swine flu being a viral infection affecting respiratory organ, chances of swine flu going up is high."

Dr Thacker said that one needs to avoid extremes in this weather. "Wear woollen clothes. In the afternoon, when the temperature is high, don't drink chill water/drinks or venture in and out of AC rooms. Avoiding extreme conditions, eating nutritious food, resting, lot of fluid intake will help."

BOX: Director Vidhu Vinod Chopra and his son were discharged on Saturday from Jaslok Hospital. They were kept in isolation for 3-4 days after they tested positive. According to treating doctors, they were stable. Meanwhile, Sonam Kapoor, bollywood actress was shifted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. Dr Ram Narain, said, "Sonam Kapoor was admitted to KDAH at 11.30 am on Sunday. She was transferred from Rajkot and is H1N1 positive. She is presently on treatment and stable in the ward."

Swine flu signs and symptoms in humans are similar to those of other flu strains:

Fever

Cough

Sore throat

Runny or stuffy nose

Body aches

Headache

Chills

Fatigue

Diarrhea

Vomiting

Swine flu symptoms develop about one to three days after you're exposed to the virus and continue for about seven days.

Dos and Donts

Follow cough hygiene. Cover mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze

wash your hands with soap or use sanitiser

avoid toughing your nose, eyes and mouth

drink plenty of water and have nutritious food

have 8 hours of sleep

avoid handshakes/contact greetings

dont spot in open

avoid self medication

What causes Swine Flu?

Swine flu or H1N1 is part of the influenza A family of viruses. Influenza viruses infect the cells lining your nose, throat and lungs. The virus enters your body when you inhale contaminated droplets or transfer live virus from a contaminated surface to your eyes, nose or mouth. Though H1N1 is called swine flu, you can't catch swine flu from eating pork. H1N1 is harboured in pigs and spreads to human beings through animal – human being interaction

High-risk groups are those who:

Are hospitalised

Are younger than 5 years of age, particularly children younger than 2 years

Are 65 years and older

Are pregnant or within two weeks of delivery, including women who have had pregnancy loss

Are younger than 19 years of age and are receiving long-term aspirin therapy, because of an increased risk for Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease

Have certain chronic medical conditions, including asthma, emphysema, heart disease, diabetes, neuromuscular disease, obesity, and kidney, liver or blood disease

Are immunosuppressed due to certain medications or HIV

- Swine flu is an air-borne viral infection that is highly contagious

- 1 in four persons infected with H1N1 virus die of complications

- It mimics normal flu like symptoms, with the patient beginning to have dry cough, fever, head ache and throat irritation

- Subsequently, the symptoms may worsen to cause breathlessness

- It spreads from one human being to another via the medium of air. When an infected person sneezes or coughs, micro droplets are liberated in the environment which may infect persons who come in contact with the infected person

- BMC has issued a helpline number to counsel citizens on swine flu. Call - 022-24114000

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