How to Protect Our Child from Swine Flu (H1N1) Virus Outbreak?

Keeping the recent outbreak of Swine Flu (H1N1) in mind, we have come up with this comprehensive Swine Flu guide covering its symptoms, causes and prevention tips including a doctor’s note on vaccination. Two Swine flu positive cases have surfaced in Delhi from the last 2 days. Total 8 such cases till the day, including few cases in Rajasthan, Kolkata have been reported since June'18.

The first case is from Rajasthan’s Baran district where a 32-year-old pregnant mom was tested positive of Swine Flu. She is undergoing treatment in Kota and her health condition has improved, as per Dr. Rajendra Meena. The second case is of a 40-year-old man from Kota. He has been diagnosed positive of Swine Flu two days ago and is under medical care for now. Respective health authorities are on a high alert in India in this monsoon season. - Source (s1)

What Are The Preventions From Swine Flu?

Here’s some handy information you need to protect your child. A guide on swine flu symptoms, causes, and prevention. We also got an expert to help us with the answers on the swine flu vaccine.

• Wash-hands & maintain extra hygiene: wash hands thoroughly and frequently, with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based sanitizer when need be. 
• Avoid stepping into crowded places if you are a high-risk person:  Places such as cinema halls can expose you to the virus in a contained space. If you are anyone with compromised immunity or have an infant, avoid crowded, enclosed spaces.
• Stay home if you have flu symptoms:  If you notice any symptoms of flu, stay at home as use can infect others easily and spread it. 
• Quarantine a family member: If a family member has it, you may need to quarantine that person to prevent the disease from spreading further. Make the person wear a mask.

Tips to Protect Child from Swine Flu (H1N1):

The antiviral drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) are sometimes prescribed to reduce the severity of symptoms, but take these only at the recommendation of a doctor. Also, they might not be available at your local pharmacy and you might have to go to a hospital pharmacy to buy it. [Read more on precautions from swine flu]     

Symptoms of Swine Flu

Symptomatically, swine flu is similar to seasonal influenza or flu, but this is caused by a different strain of a virus. Swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by flu viruses (H1N1 and H3N2v) which infect the respiratory tract. The symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, diarrhea etc.

When to Rush the Doctor:

If you notice the symptoms lingering on for more than the usual 3-5 days, go to a doctor for a further and thorough diagnosis.  Children, senior citizens, and people with cardiac disorders, asthma,  diabetes or pregnant women are most susceptible. Read more on swine flu signs & symptoms.   
 

Causes of Swine Flu (H1N1) 

Similar to a cold or flu, swine flu is very contagious and spreads through air and contact with an infected person. If an infected person sneezes without covering their nose and mouth, the droplets from the sneeze can carry the virus to others who can then inhale it. Also, touching contaminated surfaces can increase the risk of infection.
 

Swine Flu Vaccine

Dr. Rajiv Chabbra, HoD, Paediatrics, Artemis Health Institute, Gurgaon says, “The productive efficacy of the vaccination is about 87% and it works better for children aged 5 years and less, and adults over 50. For others, it may or may not work. Furthermore, getting the vaccine now would be like trying to buy an umbrella when you're in the middle of the monsoon. It takes about 2-3 weeks for the effect of the vaccine to come in. So if you get it now, we can't be sure that it will be beneficial.” [Explore more on Swine flu vaccines]