Top Health Tips on Treating Swine Flu

Hello everyone,

I am Dr. Shweta Gupta, main child specialist hoon. Mai aaj swine flu ke baare mein aap sabse kuch baatein karna chahti hoon. Jaise ki hum sab jante hain ki Delhi mein is time swine flu kafi faila hua hai aur papers mein padhte hai hum log ke aaj itne cases new detect hue, itne admissions hue jiski vajah se common public ko kuch curiosity, darr, apprehensions hoti hai. So, I would just like to clear them a bit from my side. So what exactly is swine flu? It is a type of flu infection jo ki seasonal flu hai usi ka ek variant hai which spreads from H1N1 virus. Ye initially pigs mein start hua tha isilye iska naam swine flu pada hai but ab ye human to human contact se failta hai. To iska mode of spread kya hai: it is a respiratory infection. To jab koi swine flu se infected patient cheenkta hai, khansta hai to vo atmosphere mein droplets introduce karta hai, unko touch karne se, face pe aane se dusre patients ko infection ho sakta hai.

So now what are the symptoms of swine flu? Hum kaise pahchane ki hame swine flu hai ya simple sardi khasi hai. To mostly simple flu ke aur swine flu ke symptoms common hi hote hai, patient ko tej bukhar aayega, cough hoga, cold hoga, sneezing hoti hai, body ache hota hai aur kuch patients mein ulti dast bhi ho sakte hain. But severity may vary. To ab when should we think ki hame swine flu ka test karana chahiye. Agar hame symptoms mild hai to is test ki zarurat nahi hai par there is a high-risk group jinme ye symptom severe hone ka risk hai aur unko severe disease hone ke chances rehte hai. Toh ye high risk group konsa hai? Children below 5 years especially below 2 years, buzurg log more than 65 years of age ya fir kuch log jinko koi chronic disease ho jaise asthma, diabetes, heart disease, koi immune-compromised state ye log at high-risk rehte hai for a severe disease, to inn logo ko zada chaukanna ya cautious rehna chahiye.

Symptoms severe hone pe apne paediatrician ko ya apne physician ko consult karein and then they will decide whether testing is needed or not. Toh swine flu ke testing sabhi badi labs mein, hospitals mein freely available hai but iska decision aap ke doctor ke upar rahega. Jo treatment hai mild illness mein simple flu ki aur swine flu ki same hai mainly it's a symptomatic treatment, aap kafi rest le, khoob fluids le, jo aap ko bukhar ki, khansi ki syrups hoti hai vo le, dusre logo se contact thoda avoid karein, frequent hand washing karein, kahi public places mein jaye to thoda mask vagrah use karein. Uske alawa jo severe cases hai uske liye medicines available hai but that will be decided by the treating doctor, aap ko uski zarurat hai ki nahi hai. Ab main cheez hai prevention. How can we prevent us from getting this infection? To usme 2 cheezein hai: 1 to hygiene.

Hygiene ke liye aap kahi bhi crowded places pe jate hai bheed vali jagah pe you can use a mask, secondly aap frequent hand washing karein. Jo sabse important step hai for prevention is the swine flu vaccine. Swine flu vaccine is freely available or ideal time to take is between October to November, jo ki is season ki starting hoti hai, swine flu ke season ki starting hoti hai October, November jab sardiyan shuru hone vali hoti hai, iska effect 8-10 mahine tak rehta hai. To har saal ye vaccine naye strain ke hisab se nayi vaccine market mein aati hai. To jo Indian academy of paediatrics ki guidelines hai uske hisab se 6 mahine se upar aur 5 saal se chote sabhi baccho ko ye vaccine har saal lagane chahiye. Iske alawa jo log elderly log hai above 65 years unko ya fir jo log hai jinko koi chronic illness hai jaise ki maine pehle bataya tha koi heart disease hai, diabetes hai, asthama hai unko bhi ye vaccine leni chahiye. So, I would suggest stay healthy, eat healthy and be happy.

Thank you.

Swine Flu: Why is it a Dreadful Disease?

Are you experiencing symptoms of flu, such as a cough, sore throat, fever, body aches and headaches? Are you feeling sick around your stomach and throwing up more than usual? This indicates you have H1N1 flu or swine flu. Swine flu is a form of influenza that affects pigs, or a form of human influenza that is caused by a related virus.

Diagnosis
It is difficult to tell whether you have got swine flu or seasonal flu, as the associated symptoms are similar. There are a few different symptoms. A laboratory test is hence required for the detection of swine flu. Sometimes, a rapid flu test taken in a doctor s chamber is not enough for the proper diagnosis of swine flu.

For swine flu testing, a swab is taken by a doctor from the insides of your nose and the back of your throat. This test is usually taken by people who are living in hospitals or are at a high risk of death because of life threatening conditions, because of swine flu. Children below the age of 6, people above the age of 65, and children taking aspirin therapy are more likely to develop swine flu. Adults or children suffering from lung, blood, liver and nervous system disorders are also prone to swine flu. Pregnant women and people with a weak immune system are also susceptible to swine flu.

Treatment
Several antiviral drugs, which are used to treat seasonal flu, are used to treat swine flu as well. However, some drugs prescribed for seasonal flu do not respond to swine flu. Using these medicines enables faster treatment and also makes the patient feel better. You must take the medicines within 48 hours of observing the first swine flu symptom. They are also effective when given at a later stage. Antibiotics do not treat swine flu as the flu itself is caused by a virus and not by a bacterium.

Certain over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers and medicines for cold and flu may also help in relieving aches, fever and pain. Abstain from giving aspirin to patients below the age of eighteen as it could lead to Reye s syndrome. You can prevent yourself from getting swine flu by taking a vaccine. The same flu vaccine, which prevents seasonal flu, also protects the H1N1 swine flu strain. This can be taken in the form of a shot or a nasal spray.

Swine flu is the commonly used word for H1N1 influenza virus infection. It is a relatively newer strain of the influenza virus, and is so called because it was originally discovered in people who were in direct contact with pigs. This is not necessarily the case now. Also, one should note that despite the name, it does not spread by eating pork or bacon or ham.

It is very contagious and spreads from person to person very rapidly. Swine flu was big news in 2009 when it was declared a pandemic an is in news again as a number of people have succumb to death in 2017 because of it.

Mechanism of spread: When a person with flu sneezes or coughs, the virus is released into the air, and when another person breathes the virus, they get the disease. It could also be through surfaces like doors or restroom handles which were handled by the infected person. The symptoms take about 7 days to develop, and could be quicker and severe in people with weak immune system

Symptoms: Swine flu resembles the regular flu with generic symptoms including:

Fever and chills
Cough and cold
Sore throat
Runny nose
Generalized fatigue
Body aches
Vomiting
As it progresses, it can lead to more severe conditions like pneumonia, lung infection, or worsening of asthma.

Testing: A swab test can be done but is not required in all people, except the below

Extremely young or old people
People with known weakened immunity
People with debilitating medical conditions (chronic lung or liver disease, severe diabetes, nervous disorders, etc.)
People in nursing or assisted living
Treatment:

When swine flu is detected, one of the following medications is usually given osteltavimir, peramivir, or zanamivir. The results are best when given in the first 48 hours.
Antibiotics are not effective as it is a viral disease.
Cold and fever medications are given for symptomatic relief
Aspirin should be avoided
Prevention: When there is a high incidence of swine flu in your surroundings, do the following:

If you are affected, stay indoors to avoid spreading the disease
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
Contain coughs and sneezes with a kerchief or a tissue so that virus spread is limited
Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth with likely infected hands
Keep elderly, pregnant, asthmatics, and young people away from the infected person. They have lower immunity and can contract the infection much faster
If you are infected, limit your movement in the household and try to stay put in one place
Caretaking preferably should be done by one person to limit exposure among all the members in the family

Are you experiencing symptoms of flu, such as a cough, sore throat, fever, body aches and headaches? Are you feeling sick around your stomach and throwing up more than usual? This indicates you have H1N1 flu or swine flu. Swine flu is a form of influenza that affects pigs, or a form of human influenza that is caused by a related virus.

Diagnosis
It is difficult to tell whether you have got swine flu or seasonal flu, as the associated symptoms are similar. There are a few different symptoms. A laboratory test is hence required for the detection of swine flu. Sometimes, a rapid flu test taken in a doctor s chamber is not enough for the proper diagnosis of swine flu.

For swine flu testing, a swab is taken by a doctor from the insides of your nose and the back of your throat. This test is usually taken by people who are living in hospitals or are at a high risk of death because of life threatening conditions, because of swine flu. Children below the age of 6, people above the age of 65, and children taking aspirin therapy are more likely to develop swine flu. Adults or children suffering from lung, blood, liver and nervous system disorders are also prone to swine flu. Pregnant women and people with a weak immune system are also susceptible to swine flu.

Treatment
Several antiviral drugs, which are used to treat seasonal flu, are used to treat swine flu as well. However, some drugs prescribed for seasonal flu do not respond to swine flu. Using these medicines enables faster treatment and also makes the patient feel better. You must take the medicines within 48 hours of observing the first swine flu symptom. They are also effective when given at a later stage. Antibiotics do not treat swine flu as the flu itself is caused by a virus and not by a bacterium.

Certain over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers and medicines for cold and flu may also help in relieving aches, fever and pain. Abstain from giving aspirin to patients below the age of eighteen as it could lead to Reye s syndrome. You can prevent yourself from getting swine flu by taking a vaccine. The same flu vaccine, which prevents seasonal flu, also protects the H1N1 swine flu strain. This can be taken in the form of a shot or a nasal spray.

Are you experiencing symptoms of flu, such as a cough, sore throat, fever, body aches and headaches? Are you feeling sick around your stomach and throwing up more than usual? This indicates you have H1N1 flu or swine flu. Swine flu is a form of influenza that affects pigs, or a form of human influenza that is caused by a related virus.

Diagnosis
It is difficult to tell whether you have got swine flu or seasonal flu, as the associated symptoms are similar. There are a few different symptoms. A laboratory test is hence required for the detection of swine flu. Sometimes, a rapid flu test taken in a doctor s chamber is not enough for the proper diagnosis of swine flu.

For swine flu testing, a swab is taken by a doctor from the insides of your nose and the back of your throat. This test is usually taken by people who are living in hospitals or are at a high risk of death because of life threatening conditions, because of swine flu. Children below the age of 6, people above the age of 65, and children taking aspirin therapy are more likely to develop swine flu. Adults or children suffering from lung, blood, liver and nervous system disorders are also prone to swine flu. Pregnant women and people with a weak immune system are also susceptible to swine flu.

Treatment
Several antiviral drugs, which are used to treat seasonal flu, are used to treat swine flu as well. However, some drugs prescribed for seasonal flu do not respond to swine flu. Using these medicines enables faster treatment and also makes the patient feel better. You must take the medicines within 48 hours of observing the first swine flu symptom. They are also effective when given at a later stage. Antibiotics do not treat swine flu as the flu itself is caused by a virus and not by a bacterium.

Certain over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers and medicines for cold and flu may also help in relieving aches, fever and pain. Abstain from giving aspirin to patients below the age of eighteen as it could lead to Reye s syndrome. You can prevent yourself from getting swine flu by taking a vaccine. The same flu vaccine, which prevents seasonal flu, also protects the H1N1 swine flu strain. This can be taken in the form of a shot or a nasal spray.

Are you experiencing symptoms of flu, such as a cough, sore throat, fever, body aches and headaches? Are you feeling sick around your stomach and throwing up more than usual? This indicates you have H1N1 flu or swine flu. Swine flu is a form of influenza that affects pigs, or a form of human influenza that is caused by a related virus.

Diagnosis-
It is difficult to tell whether you have got swine flu or seasonal flu, as the associated symptoms are similar. There are a few different symptoms. A laboratory test is hence required for the detection of swine flu. Sometimes, a rapid flu test taken in a doctor s chamber is not enough for the proper diagnosis of swine flu.

For swine flu testing, a swab is taken by a doctor from the insides of your nose and the back of your throat. This test is usually taken by people who are living in hospitals or are at a high risk of death because of life-threatening conditions, because of swine flu. Children below the age of 6, people above the age of 65, and children taking aspirin therapy are more likely to develop swine flu. Adults or children suffering from lung, blood, liver and nervous system disorders are also prone to swine flu. Pregnant women and people with a weak immune system are also susceptible to swine flu.

Treatment-
Several antiviral drugs, which are used to treat seasonal flu, are used to treat swine flu as well. However, some drugs prescribed for seasonal flu do not respond to swine flu. Using these medicines enables faster treatment and also makes the patient feel better. You must take the medicines within 48 hours of observing the first swine flu symptom. They are also effective when given at a later stage. Antibiotics do not treat swine flu as the flu itself is caused by a virus and not by a bacterium.

Certain over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers and medicines for cold and flu may also help in relieving aches, fever and pain. Abstain from giving aspirin to patients below the age of eighteen as it could lead to Reye s syndrome. You can prevent yourself from getting swine flu by taking a vaccine. The same flu vaccine, which prevents seasonal flu, also protects the H1N1 swine flu strain. This can be taken in the form of a shot or a nasal spray.

As we are all aware that there is an explosive outbreak of H1N1 swine flu infection in India. The high risk groups are pregnant women, people above 60 years of age, infants and children. I would recommend you the following to keep yourself protected and also help in stopping the spread of infection:

1) If you have fever and cough, seek immediate treatment. Insist on testing for H1N1 and take Tamiflu as per results.

2) Use handkerchief when you cough. Cover your mouth and nose to prevent spread to others.

3) Isolate those patients who are positive for H1N1.

4) Eat healthy food and exercise daily to keep your immunity intact.

5) Vitamin C is a good immunity booster for viral infections.

6) Avoid travel to areas where there is an outbreak.

7) Use N95 mask for protection - especially nurses and other health care workers who deal with positive patients.

8) Get yourself vaccinated with influenza vaccine - especially those who are in the high risk group.

If you have any more questions, please contact me.

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Former Union Defence Minister and an epitome in Indian politics, George Fernandes, passed away on Tuesday morning owing to a prolonged illness, confirmed his family members.

He was 88 and suffering from Alzheimer's disease, a neurological, irreversible, progressive brain disorder, since long. Recently, he contracted swine flu, which is quite prevalent across the country these days. Fernandes, an anti-Emergency crusader and an arch-enemy of Indira Gandhi, had been bedridden for the past few years.

Here we will be discussing about Alzheimer's and Swine flu to help you stay away from the complications of these diseases.

Alzheimer's Disease:

It is a chronic neurodegenerative dementia that leads to death of brain cells, triggering memory loss and cognitive decline. It affects the patient's thinking and behaviour. The symptoms develop slowly & worsen with time.

Causes of Alzheimer's Disease:

Being a kind of dementia, brain cells die progressively and eventually, the tissue is left with fewer nerve cells and connections.

As a result, the brain size starts shrinking. Tiny inclusions known as plaques and tangles cannot be seen in a living Alzheimer's affected brain but they are visible in the postmortem.

These plaques are known as 'amyloid plaques' as they are found among the dying cells of the brain when a protein called beta-amyloid builds. The tangles stay in the neurons and are formed from a protein called tau.

There are many reasons behind this problem. Some of those are mentioned below:

Anti-anxiety medications
Hitting on the head too many times
Regularly sleep-deprived
Loneliness
Diabetes
Old age
Genetics
Down's syndrome
Cardiovascular diseases
Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease:

As Alzheimer's damages the brain, hence, the clinical signs start showing up very early. The symptoms include:

Memory loss
Agitation and mood swings
Poor judgment
The trouble with money calculations
Difficulty doing familiar tasks
Trouble in planning or solving a problem
Confusion with time and place
Difficulty in communicating
Loss of motivation
Inappropriate behaviour
Aggressive personality
Childlike behaviour
Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease:

The medical science has evolved a lot over the years but still, there is no permanent cure for Alzheimer s disease. It ultimately results in death. Hence, it is better to try and prevent it before developing. Discussed below are the preventive measures for Alzheimer s disease:

Eating more fruits and vegetables
Eating berries every day
Increasing Omega-3 fatty acids
Taking folic acid supplements
Having grape juice or red wine with evening food
Doing the Mediterranean style diet
Controlling the blood pressure
Having strong social support
In most of the cases, the treatment only keeps the condition of the patient under control as there is no treatment which can completely reverse Alzheimer's Disease. Hence, prevention is the best way possible to keep this deadly ailment at bay.

George Fernandes had recently contracted Swine Flu and the disease only worsened his condition. Here is everything you should know to stay safe:

Swine Flu:

Swine flu, or H1N1 infection, is a respiratory disease which is caused by influenza viruses that infect the respiratory tract of pigs and eventually result in a barking cough, nasal secretions, decreased appetite and listless behaviour. It gets transmitted to humans swiftly and takes shape of a pandemic.

How does it prevail?

It spreads in a very similar manner as seasonal flu. People release tiny drops of virus into the air while sneezing or coughing. Whenever any person comes in contact with these viruses, he/she also gets infected by it. It can also spread by using or touching the things used by the infected person.

H1N1 Symptoms:

The symptoms of this disease are also very similar to the seasonal flu. They include:

Cough
Fever
Sore throat
Body aches
Headache
Running nose
Fatigue
Chills
Breath shortness
Frequent vomiting
Dizziness
Pain in the belly region
Swine flu can potentially lead to more serious complications such as pneumonia, lung infection and other breathing problems. In diabetes and asthma patients, it can make the situation even worst.

Can vaccination keep swine flu at bay?

The flu vaccine which keeps away seasonal flu also protects against N1H1 infection.

How to prevent H1N1 infection?

Apart from vaccinations, there are some other ways also to keep yourself healthy:

Wash your hands with soap and water
Use alcohol-based hand-sanitizer
Do not touch your eyes, mouth or nose
Try to maintain a safe distance from infected people
Prevention is always better than cure! At the time when the pandemic is quickly spreading across the country, people should be more cautious about their health. If you also have the symptoms of the disease, you should immediately visit a doctor to diagnose it and start with the treatment.

Dear
Swine flu, or H1N1, is a viral disease.
Symptoms may be fever, cough, sore throat, running or stuffy nose, breathlessness, chest pain diarrhoea etc.
Fortunately majority of patients do not require any test or any treatment.

However some groups of people such as
elderly>65 yrs of age
children below 5 yrs of age
pregnant females,
diabetics, hypertensives, people with HIV or any other immunosuppressant drugs are particularly vulnerable.

If you have the above symptoms
DO’S
consult a doctor
cover your mouth while coughing or sneezing
avoid crowded places
drink plenty of water
wash your hands regularly
if advised by doctor, stay indoors.
if your symptoms worsen re-consult your doctor.

Dont's
do not spit in public
do not shake hands
do not take medications without doctor consultation.

VACCINE
For prevention you also have an option of influenza vaccine which you will have to take yearly.
Please consult your local physician regarding vaccination.