Kohima, August 28 (MExN): The Nagaland Health & Family Welfare Department today issued an advisory on A H1N1 Virus (formerly known as Swine flu). “The influenza that had caused the pandemic in 2009 continues to circulate as a seasonal Influenza virus causing Outbreak/Sporadic cases in different parts of the country,” a public interest notification from the health department stated.
“While most of Influenza A H1N1 cases will be mild, persons with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart diseases, cancer and other immune-compromised conditions, adults more than 65 years of age, children under 5 years of age and pregnant women are at higher risk for acquiring sever illness,” it said. Mortality among those said high risk groups can be prevented by early diagnosis and prompt treatment, it added.
The notification said that sudden onset of ‘High Fever’ with cough, sore throat, running or stuffy nose with difficulty in breathing could be due to the virus. Other symptoms are body ache, headache, fatigue, chills, diarrhoea, vomiting and blood in sputum. In this connection, it asked those with such symptoms to stay at home if advised by doctor. “Avoid close contact with others for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours whichever is longer,” it said.
“Report to the nearest identified healthy facility if symptoms aggravate (high fever, difficulty in breathing, blue colour of the skin of lips, blood in sputum or altered behaviour),” the notification stated. Small children may be irritable, do not take fluids to accept feeds, it cautioned.
DOs:
• Cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief or tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol based gel.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Avoid crowded places.
• Stay more than an arm’s length from person afflicted with flu
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food.
DON'Ts:
• Shake hands or hug in greeting.
• Spit in public.
• Take medicines specially aspirin without consulting a physician.
