It's better we stop Swine Flu entry: Dr Arya

Swine flu with its pandemic potential is a serious threat to all countries, including India. With no vaccine available at present, we have to prevent it from reaching India, says Dr Muktanjali Arya of Apollo Hospital

CJ: raj m. atwal

Fri, May 01, 2009 16:30:33 IST

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Health Care :

WITH THE World Health Organisation (WHO) raising the threat perception of Swine Flu to pandemic proportions and no chances of its vaccine availability in the near future, Swine Flu’s consequences have started giving sleepless nights to the people all over the world.

The worse hit, of course, are Mexico and the US (10 states so far). As America has started closing schools in the affected states, starting with Texas, there is a palpable fear in India too. Though the Indian Government has reacted quickly to the flu threat, most of the people here are getting scary thoughts as to what will happen in case they are infected.

But, what exactly is the Swine Flu? For the initiated, let’s inform that like people, pigs can get influenza (flu) but swine flue virus isn’t the same as human flu viruses. This flu does not often infect people and the rare human cases that have occurred in the past have mainly affected people, who had direct contact with pigs. But the current outbreak is different.

So as to allay the common man’s fears, RMS Atwal today (May 1), spoke to one of the senior doctors at the SPS Apollo Hospitals in Ludhiana, Dr Muktanjali Arya, who works as a Senior Consultant in the Microbiology department of the hospital.

Experts from the interview:

Swine Flu has caused a world-wide scare. How serious is its threat to India?

Swine flu with its pandemic potential is a serious threat to all countries, including India. With no vaccine available at present, we have to prevent it from reaching India. Surveillance at airports and ports has been strengthened and an advisory against non-essential travel to Mexico, the USA and other countries has been issued.

What are its causes and effects under Indian conditions?

Swine flu spreads the same way that seasonal flu spreads that is mainly from person to person, through coughing or sneezing of people infected with flu. Sometimes, people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. If cases do occur in India, situation will be a difficult one. Great effort would be required to contain it. So, it is better we prevent it from entering our country.

In what way is it different from other common flues Indian patients suffer from?

Flu is caused by a virus. There are thousands of different kinds of viruses that can cause flu. The seasonal flu is actually several different strains and each year those strains change. Swine flu is just one more strain. Symptoms of swine flu are the same as typical flu symptoms. Fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue are the most prevalent symptoms. Some patients report diarrhoea and vomiting, too.

They say, prevention is better than cure. What advice you have for the patients?

Since no vaccine is available at the moment, we need to prevent the spread of germs by the following ways:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the dustbin after use.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Try to avoid a close contact with sick people.

It may be noted that this virus grows slowly in eggs and it will be months before the vaccine is available.

How best Swine flu can be treated and how much does it normally cost a patient?

Like seasonal flu, swine flu can vary in severity from mild to severe. For treatment, Oseltamivir or Zanamivir are recommended. Pharmaceutical company, Cipla is providing Oseltamivir at a low rate of Rs 1000 per strip of ten 75mg tablets.

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