The number of Swine Flu cases in Karnataka have been steadily rising. Doctors suspect the cases are being transferred from infections in Tamil Nadu Here is some advice on the symptoms of the disease, to keep readers alert.
As a cold front sweeps out of Tamil Nadu and Telangana, the Karnataka's department of Health, Family Welfare and Ayush services are worried about infections spreading into the state.
Although there is no reason to panic in Karnataka, the aged, children and pregnant women better be cautious as they are prone to droplet infections.
In Tamil Nadu, over 1,000 people have tested positive and many deaths been reported. The scene is no different in Telangana where about 15 people have died, and over 200 are said to be infected with the H1N1 a.k.a Swine Flu virus.
The disease is spreading in Karnataka as well. As of now, three deaths and over 300 positive cases detected so far.
"In 2015, this virus reported more cases in North India and now the trend is moving towards South India. We suspect that many who travel to TN and Telangana very often might have come back with infections," said BG Prakash Kumar, State Surveillance Officer, Vector Borne Diseases.
For our reader, he added that shaking hands and coming in contact with infected people may spread the infection. Hence, personal hygiene should be given prime importance for a while now.
Despite these fears, doctors are keeping calm. An early diagnosis and the administration of the Tamiflu tablet, along with rest, is the best cure for the disease.
With that in mind, if one patient is discovered with H1N1 symptoms, hospitals have been instructed to send blood and saliva samples to reputed hospitals and treat patients accordingly.
"If a patient returns with a positive result, 100 homes in the vicinity are being screened. This in addition to information education being spread to contain the proliferation of the virus," said Dr Sashidhar Buggi, Director, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Disease.
If you are suffering from fever, cold, joint pain, tiredness and vomiting for an extended period, you should get examined at a health centre immediately, as delay in treatment will lead to breathing difficulties and possibly multi-organ failure.
As swine flu (H1N1) is an airborne infection, if an infected person coughs or sneezes, the virus lingers in the air.
So keep an eye out!
