Optom.Gaurav Bhardwaj,
M.Optom,
Fellow International Association of Contact Lens Eductors,Australia
Consultant Optometrist & Manager
Optique Eye Ear & Speech
6,Basant lok (Opp PVR Priya) Vasant Vihar,New Delhi-57
Cell: +91-9268730075
SWINE FLU FACT FILE
>
> What are the symptoms?
>Swine flu symptoms are similar to the symptoms of regular flu and include
>fever of over 100.4°F, fatigue, lack of appetite, and cold. Some people with
>swine flu have also reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and
>diarrhoea. Nearly everyone with flu has at least two of these symptoms.
>
>So, how do you know if you have flu or just cold?
>There is one clue: when you have the flu, you feel flu symptoms sooner than
>you would cold symptoms, and they come on with much greater intensity. With
>the flu, you may feel very weak and fatigued for up to 2 or 3 weeks. You'll
>have muscle aches and periods of chills and sweats as fever comes and goes.
>You may also have a stuffy or runny nose, headache, and sore throat.
>
>Can I compare flu symptoms with cold symptoms?
>Yes. The following chart can help you compare flu symptoms with cold
>symptoms. Use it to lean the differences and similarities between flu and
>cold symptoms. Then, if you get flu symptoms, call your doctor and ask about
>an antiviral drug.
>
>Symptoms Cold Flu
>Fever Rare Characteristic, high 100-102 degrees F); lasts 3-4 days
>Headache Rare Prominent
>General aches, pains Slight Usual; often severe
>Fatigue, Weakness Quite mild Can last up to 2-3 weeks
>Extreme Exhaustion Never Early and prominent
>Stuffy Nose Common Sometimes
>Chest Discomfort,Cough Mild to moderate; hacking cough Common; can become
>severe
>
>You cannot confirm if you have swine flu just based on your symptoms. Like
>seasonal flu, pandemic swine flu can cause neurologic symptoms in children.
>These events are rare, but, as cases associated with seasonal flu have
>shown, they can be very severe and often fatal.
>
>Doctors may offer a rapid flu test, but what you need to understand is a
>negative result doesn't necessarily mean you don't have the flu. Only lab
>tests can definitively show whether you've got swine flu. State health
>departments can do these tests.
>
>
> What should you do immediately?
>Those of you who have travelled from the affected countries in the past ten
>days and show symptoms swine flu like fever, cough, sore throat and
>difficulty in breathing should immediately contact the telephone number
>given below or visit the nearby Government Hospital.
>
>Important contact numbers:
>Outbreak Monitoring Cell (Control Room, NICD): 011-23921401
>
>Websites: www.mohfw.nic.in and www.nicd.nic.in
>You can also contact a toll free number 2392 1401 at the National Institute
>of Communicable Disease
>
>Contact number for each cities:
>Bangalore
>BIAL Swine Flu Center - 91-80-22001490
>
>SDS TUBERCULOSIS & RAJIV GANDHI INSTITUTE OF CHEST DISEASES(Govt. of
>Karnataka), Hosur Road, Bangalore - 560029
>Helpline No: 91-80-26631923
>
>Chennai
>Communicable Disease Hospital, 87, T.H. Road, Tondiarpet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
>
>Hyderabad
>Govt. General and Chest Diseases Hospital, Erragadda , Hyderabad
>Hospital Helpline Number - 040-23814939
>
>Kolkata
>Beliaghata Infectious Diseases Hospital, 57, Beliaghata Main Road, Kolkata
>
>Mumbai
>Kasturba Hospital, Arthur Road, Sane Guruji Marg, Mumbai 400011
>Ph: 022- 23083901 / 23092458 / 23000889
>
>New Delhi
>Yellow Fever Quarantine Centre, Near AAI Residential Colony, New Delhi
>Ph: 91-11-25652129
>
>Influenza Ward, Ward no 5, Second Floor, New Building, RML Hospital, Delhi-1
>RML- 91-11-24525211,23404328,23365525- Ext 4328
>
>
>
>Who is at risk?
>Those who are more at risk from becoming seriously ill with swine flu are
>people with:
> * chronic (long-term) lung disease, including people who have
> had drug treatment for their asthma within the past three years,
> * chronic heart disease,
> * chronic kidney disease,
> * chronic liver disease,
> * chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include
> motor neurone disease, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis),
> * suppressed immune systems (whether caused by disease or
> treatment),
> * diabetes,
> * pregnant women,
> * people aged 65 or older, and
> * young children under five.
>
>How does it spread?
>The new swine flu virus is highly contagious, that is it spreads from person
>to person. The virus is spread through the droplets that come out of the
>nose or mouth when someone coughs or sneezes. If someone coughs or sneezes
>and they do not cover it, those droplets can spread about one metre (3ft).
>If you are very nearby you might breathe them in.
>
>Or, if someone coughs or sneezes into their hand, those droplets and the
>virus within them are easily transferred to surfaces that the person touches,
> such as door handles, hand rails, telephones and keyboards. If you touch
>these surfaces and touch your face, the virus can enter your system, and you
>can become infected.
>
>
> Can it be prevented?
>Influenza antiviral drugs also can be used to prevent influenza when they
>are given to a person who is not ill, but who has been or may be near a
>person with swine influenza. When used to prevent the flu, antiviral drugs
>are about 70% to 90% effective. When used for prevention, the number of days
>that they should be used will vary depending on a person’s particular
>situation.
>
>Follow this general procedure to reduce the risk of catching or spreading the
> virus, you should:
> * Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, using a
> tissue
> * Throw the tissue away quickly and carefully
> * Wash your hands regularly with soap and water
> * Clean hard surfaces (like door handles and remote controls)
> frequently with a normal cleaning product
> * Keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep
> from making others sick. Do not go to work or school while ill
> * Stay home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone, except to
> seek medical care or for other necessities. (Fever should be gone
> without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
> * Drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks,
> electrolyte beverages for infants) to keep from being dehydrated
> * Wear a facemask – if available and tolerable – when sharing
> common spaces with other household members to help prevent spreading
> the virus to others.
>
>Will it help to wear a mask?
>Information on the effectiveness of facemasks and respirators for decreasing
>the risk of influenza infection in community settings is extremely limited.
>So, it is difficult to assess their potential effectiveness in decreasing
>the risk of Swine Flu virus transmission in these settings. However, a
>well-fitted, FDA-approved mask together with other preventive measures MAY
>reduce the risk of contracting the flu. Those who are sick or caring for
>someone who is ill should consider using a mask or respirator if leaving the
>house becomes necessary.
>
>
>What precautions should one take at home?
>Two things - soap and water can reduce the chance of infection by 30 per
>cent. All you need to do is keep washing your hand with soap and water
>frequently. Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based
>hand cleaner when soap and water are not available. Avoid touching your
>eyes, nose and mouth
>
>Eat healthy: Proteins are essential to help your body maintain and build
>strength. Lean meat, poultry, fish, legumes, dairy, eggs, and nuts and seeds
>are good sources of protein.
>
>The Food and Drug Administration recommends that adults eat 50 grams of
>protein per day. Pregnant and nursing women need more. By eating foods high
>in protein, we also get the benefit of other healing nutrients such as
>vitamins B6 and B12, both of which contribute to a healthy immune system.
>
>Vitamin B6 is widely available in foods, including protein foods such as
>turkey and beans as well as potatoes, spinach, and enriched cereal grains.
>Proteins such as meats, milk, and fish also contain vitamin B12, a powerful
>immune booster.
>
>Minerals such as selenium and zinc work to keep the immune system strong.
>These minerals are found in protein rich foods such as beans, nuts, meat, and
> poultry.
>
>Exercise: Regular exercise may help prevent the flu. According to recent
>findings, when moderate exercise is repeated on a near daily basis, there is
>a cumulative immune-enhancing effect. That is, your strong immune system can
>fight flu better. When you exercise, your white blood cells -- the blood
>cells that fight infections in the body -- travel through your body more
>quickly, fighting bacteria and viruses (such as flu) more efficiently. To
>maintain good health, experts recommend at least 30 minutes of aerobic
>activity such as walking, swimming, biking, or running each day.
>
>
>
>What precautions should one take at schools?
> * Avoid close contact with people who are sick
> * People who are sick with an influenza-like illness should stay
> home and keep away from others as much as possible, including avoiding
> travel, for at least 24 hours after fever is gone except to get
> medical care or for other necessities. (Fever should be gone without
> the use of fever-reducing medicine). Cover your mouth and nose with a
> tissue when coughing or sneezing
> * Wash your hands often
> * Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
>Is it safe to travel?
>Avoid traveling unnecessarily. However, if you must travel, check how the
>country you're going to handles swine flu. Although, the WHO doesn't
>recommend travel restrictions, many countries have set up their own H1N1
>policies, and some travelers have been screened or quarantined in other
>countries because of swine flu concerns.
>
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