All about Swine Flu-Symptoms, Treatment and Preventive Measures

Posted by on Jun 7, 2009 in Viral Diseases

Swine Flu is highly infectious viral disease caused by Influenza A, H1N1 type virus. First it has been found in Mexico and USA and latter spread to other countries. It has been confirmed that it has spread into India also. The doctors are assuring that there is no need to get panicky since all precautions are being taken in India to face the disease. Further the disease is treatable with an antibiotic OSELTAMIVIR. So far 32 persons suspected to be suffering with swine fever entered into Andhra Pradesh, India and out of which only 5 persons were confirmed to be suffering with swine fever. Out of the five one was already discharged after treating successfully. About seven are yet to be confirmed. In Tamilnadu two cases were identified. Every precaution is being taken to identify and treat patients suspected with swine fever.

What is the nature of the virus?
It is highly infectious virus of influenza A, type H1N1 virus with a combination of four viruses one each from pigs and birds two from humans. The virus can survive for long periods in cold climate and for about two hours in hot climates of Temp up to 400 C. The virus spreads from the infected patients discharges out of coughing, sneezing etc and spread into the surrounding atmosphere and infects fresh persons by inhalation. Once infected the incubation period is about 10 days for the disease to be detected.

What are the symptoms of the swine flu?

  • Fever, Head ache, cold and running down of nose.
  • Throat pain
  • Cough and body pains
  • Extreme weakness
  • In some individuals vomiting, nausea and anorexia is seen.
  • Some time diarrhea is also seen
  • If the above symptoms are seen in any body they are advised to go to a physician for confirmation and treatment.

What type of care is taken and to identify the disease?

  • If the above symptoms are seen in anybody he will be moved to a chest hospital with N-95 face mask for investigations and treatment.
  • The patient will be quarantined in a separate room to prevent the spread of the disease to others. Only one patient will be kept in each room.
  • Necessary communication aids like phone will be provided in the room to communicate with his relatives and friends.
  • The doctors, nurses and others who are attending on the patient will take due care and wear face masks and gloves.
  • Counseling will be given to the patient so that he will not become panicky.
  • Discharges from the throat, nose, and vomited material and blood samples are collected from the patient and sent to lab for investigation and confirmation of the swine flu. The report will come in 48 hours. If it is not a case of swine flu type H1N1 the patient will be discharged after giving symptomatic treatment for cold and cough. If the patient is positive he will be kept in the hospital and the treatment is continued.

How the patient is treated in the hospital?

  • The patient should wear a light and loose dress so that he will be comfortable.
  • The patient will be examined both morning and evening and treated with OSELTAMIVIR tablets.
  • If he is suffering with sore throat he will be given necessary antibiotics and supportive treatment.
  • The patient should wear a face mask of N-95 model continuously except at the time of taking the food.
  • Regular usage of medicines and drugs and proper rest if taken properly the patient will be cured in 10 days.
  • After 10 days the blood samples will be sent again for testing. If the report is negative he will be discharged from the hospital. He can attend to all of his normal activities.
  • If treatment is not taken properly complications like pneumonia will erupt complicating the disease. Therefore never neglect the disease.

What precautions to be taken?

  • The bed sheets, apparels, used by the patient and the doctors will be immersed in a solution of hypo chloride for 30 minutes to kill the virus.
  • Syringes, cotton and other material used for the patient are disposed carefully in special disposable bags and sent to special organizations for safe disposal.

Precautions to be taken by the family members:

  • The family members should take all the precautions if the suspected patient comes directly from the air port.
  • They should use separate towels, soaps etc to prevent contact of the virus from the patient.
  • Washing hands frequently with soap and antiseptic lotions is useful to kill the virus.
  • The also should wear a three layer mask if cough is present for the patient.
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