H1N1 FLU : SOME FACTS

These are few facts about swine flu when discussed with the leading
epidemiologists.
 
1) Swine flu, that is H1N1 flu is not new, first detected in 1987
2) Infective stage of flue is 5 days, 1 day before and 4 days after onset of
symptoms
3) The best way to prevent it spreading is asking patient having symptoms of
flu like fever cough and running nose to take rest at home for 4 days so he
does not transmit it
4) Masks are of limited value if any, in this disease, it can spread through
droplets on your skin, through contact etc, and I have seen that the masks
in Pune are worn as fashion statement, while walking on road today morning I
saw people wearing masks coming out for a morning walk with their dogs!,
many wearing masks around their necks, and so on, infact these masks shall
act as the vehicles to carry the virus, instead, avoiding crowded places or
cinema halls or malls where airconditioners are on, is advisable, because
you get recirculated air, where the virus density multiplies
5)Death after H1N1 flu is not common, infact infections like measles is
taking toll of thousands more every year, and we are oblivious of the facts.
Swine flu is being blown out of proportion by media trying to create
hysteria among lay people.
6) Fever accompanied by respiratory distress, should be immediately notified
which is likely to be a complication of H1N1 flu
7)The mortality is less than .01 percent of those affected, that means may
be one in 10,000 affected is likely to suffer the life loss.
8) If you remember, 2 years ago SARS was blown out of proportion, what
happened? Humans develop immunity to the virus, the same is going to happen,
we develop immunity in due course of time, the virus is in the air, you can
not stop it, our body is already developing the immunity so nothing to
panic.
We need to take care of children and elderly who have less immunity and do
not let them go to crowded places that is all .
 
Curtesey:
Dr Deepak Purohit