It looks as if it is the swine flu season again . The people are worried, though vaccines are available in the market. Although the name 'swine flu' strikes fear and anxiety, it is just an influenza, a H1N1 virus, which can be treated with additional care.
The main symptoms are high fever, unlike the seasonal flu where the patient has cough, a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, body ache, headache, chills, fatigue or tiredness, diarrhea and vomiting.
The reports of deaths in the city have made people more concerned and they are extra careful, said a doctor. 'For the past one week the number of people registering for the vaccination has increased much. People are more concerned about the swine flu now' says a worker in a private medical centre, Nungambakkam.
Most people are confused about the initial symptoms of the disease. 'My younger daughter got fever last week with symptoms of swine flu and when we took her hospital, for a check up, it was proved as seasonal flu.The problem is most of the symptoms for the both are the same' says Rathna, a housewife.
Health authorities of the state launched a mass vaccination programme last Monday, and this proved to be a good step. A large number of local residents got themselves vaccinated, they bought the vaccine sold at subsidised rates. 'I thought of getting the vaccine from a private hospital,which would cost around Rs 350, but before registering with the hospital, the government launched its vaccination programme, which has to be appreciated' said Murugan,a shopkeeper.
Coming to the precautionary measures... Doctors say: cover your nose and mouth whenever you cough or sneeze. If it is tissue see that you throw it in the trash. Swine flu spreads by direct contact with respiratory secretions of someone who is sick and were coughing and sneezing near you.Take extra care with such persons. Wash your hands, preferably with a disinfectant.
(Courtesy: Nungambakkam Talk)
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