EDUCATION
We have to educate the masses about the various strains and swine flu viruses which are the H1N1, H3 N2 and H3N2v. The last virus is more easily transferable to humans.
When people get swine flu viruses, it’s usually after contact with pigs. Stray Pigs are anywhere and everywhere in India. Thanks to our Municipal Administration.
People who are at high risk of serious flu complications include children younger than 5 years, people 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with certain long-term health conditions (like asthma and other lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems, and neurological or neurodevelopment conditions).
PREVENTION
The best prevention is to take a flu vaccination for all people older than 6 months of age. The flu shot also protects against two or three other influenza viruses.
Taking a vaccination before the onset of the cold season is the best prevention.
These measures also help prevent swine flu and limit its spread:
1. Stay home if you're sick. If you do have swine flu (H1N1 flu), you can give it to others starting about 24 hours before you develop symptoms and ending about seven days later.
People should not be allowed to attend office in order t to prevent it spreading to your fellow colleagues.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. Use soap and water, or if they're unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Flu viruses can survive for two hours or longer on surfaces, such as doorknobs and countertops.
3. Contain your coughs and sneezes. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. To avoid contaminating your hands, cough or sneeze into a tissue.
4. Avoid contact. Stay away from crowds. And if you're at high risk of complications from the flu — for example, you're younger than 5 or you're 65 or older, you're pregnant, or you have a chronic medical condition such as asthma.
5. Reduce exposure within your household. If a member of your household has swine flu, designate only one household member to be responsible for the ill person's personal care.
SYMPTOMS
Swine flu will generally come with the following symptoms:
• A respiratory infection
• Fever and respiratory symptoms, especially cough or a sore throat.
• Fatigue, chills, headache, or body aches.
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Very young children may not complain of fever or have a cough but rather have listlessness or shortness of breath as their main symptom.
RISK GROUPS
People with chronic medical conditions are always at higher risk for complications from influenza and this is also true of swine flu. These chronic medical conditions include asthma, chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, suppressed immune systems (including from chemotherapy), and kidney failure.
TREATMENT
Laboratory testing has shown that swine influenza strain is sensitive to antiviral medicines that are used to treat human influenza.
Medications should be taken after consultation in consultation with a Practising Doctor.
CLEAN SURROUNDINGS
Of course our ultimate aim is Swacch Bharat and to make it a great success.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The Government should open Disease Control Centres which should cater to the following:
• Testing Laboratories for detection of disease.
• Provide awareness and education on disease symptoms, prevention and eradication of disease.
• Provide vaccinations to those who visit the Disease Control Centre.
• Keep statistics and records of disease for monitoring purposes.
2. Have mobile centres for giving vaccinations to very young and old persons who cannot reach the Disease Control Centres.
We have lot of unemployed youth who can be employed for this purpose.
All these Disease Control Centres should be privately and professionally managed. These can be funded by the tax payer’s money.
3. Educate the masses on the disease and its eradication through media.
NOTE: It would be worthwhile if a Practising Doctor reviews and comments on this draft. more