My own flu experience!

After my recent trip to Hyderabad, after getting back I developed slight sore throat. It became cold, cough and slight fever the next day. In other circumstances, I would have waited one more day for the fever to intensify to visit the doctor. But given the current spread of swine flu across the country, I decided to err on the side of caution. We visited the doc who said that it was throat congestion, prescribed antibiotics and said to monitor for increase in symptoms for two days. The medicine in two doses made me feel substantially better. I never really got high fever and the infection is getting cured, the cough would take a few days to go away as it almost always does.

Yes, I did take the precautions of sleeping in the other room to shield the other members of the family, slept and rested a lot and practiced the usual hygiene measures. I avoided going out as well. No, I did not panic because I have been reading a lot about swine flu and its symptoms and am aware that one has to watch out for very high fever along with some respiratory distress. I have been monitoring and taking all the precautions. Given that it is rainy season here in India and we will fall prey to seasonal flus more often now than in summer, I did not panic.

I did travel through an AC train to Hyderabad and back and maybe we could have avoided the trip. I did not feel too much concerned at the time of taking the trip. Maybe, I am not becoming all paranoid. I know that most people are not even needing medication to get cured and maybe if the media had not hyped it so, the panic levels would not be so high. Most of the deaths that have happened have occurred due to some complications or due to some pre-existing conditions. Yes, I do get worried about the kids as they are the most vulnerable. I am teaching them to wash their hands as often as possible and to avoid putting things in their mouths. The schools are being extra vigilant and suspending the morning assembly. They are monitoring the kids and any child with even a cold and a cough is advised to stay at home. The same is applicable to offices where people are advised to rest and stay at home if they fall sick.

I think now that the awareness is spreading well, we can expect to be able to get on top of this virus H1N1. I don’t know how long or how far this thing is going to continue. The more worrisome prediction is that the virus might mutate and a more virulent form may strike around winter time. A new vaccine for swine flu rolled out from Baxter Inc., US yesterday, but India as usual is napping. Whereas, most countries affected have already placed their orders for the vaccine, Indian health authorities are still left pondering. The indigenous vaccine being developed will take till next May to come out, that is a really long time away.

As people continue to succumb and Karnataka records its 23rd death yesterday, it is time for all of us to be extra vigilant. Proper and timely medical aid is the only key apart from preventive measures. Do whatever is needed to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy. I only know that I cannot live in a state of perpetual panic and fear.