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.
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.
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.
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.
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