Swine flu in India

We started getting swine flu cases for the first time in India a couple of months back. As expected, the carriers were air travelers coming from nations that already had reported cases. Some screening was done at the airports and it was found that some people were suffering from swine flu. The cases were pretty mild in the beginning and as usual the government made some cursory arrangements hoping that swine flu will not spread or reach serious levels in the country. The number of testing labs in the country were around 20 till just a few days ago. The private hospitals were not allowed to treat the patients and in each big city there were hardly one or two government hospitals designated for the screening and treatment. Knowing that countries like US etc. were not screening outgoing passengers and that the virus needs an incubation time of 7-10 days made the situation difficult. Adding to it is the rainy season in India which is also the time when most of us catch flu and common cold, sore throats etc.; the same being the symptoms of swine flu.

Just a few days back, we had the first swine flu death in the country which was the unfortunate death of a 14-year-old girl in Pune, a second death was reported from Mumbai yesterday. Both the cases were due to complications which developed and lead to respiratory distresses. The things which were poorly handled by the government was its lethargy in gearing up the medical machinery to cope with the inevitable spread of H1N1 or swine flu. The government hospitals and staff should be better equipped to handle the testing and treatment. The private hospitals have to be brought in the loop too to provide more places for treatment. Better information dissemination also should be the aim of the government in order to prevent the spread of panic among common people who are running to hospitals for even a mild cold or cough. The media which is turning the nation into a paranoid bunch of people should be cautious about spreading panic and rumours. By all means give information but do not sensationalize it. They also have the duty to educate people about how to handle swine flu.

We have to understand that swine flu like other flus is caused by a virus which is self-limiting or clears up on its own within a week in almost 95% of the cases. It is just 1 or 2% cases in which complications develop due to pre-existing factors or something going wrong somewhere. Hence it is very necessary that people be aware that there is nothing to panic even if they suspect swine flu. The doctors have said that the virus strain has not mutated and is treatable. Adequate rest with monitoring is needed. If the symptoms worsen with time, medical attention needs to be sought. There is no need for panic otherwise. We cannot close schools and add to the hysteria. There have been hundreds of cases which have got cured on their own. We have to be careful and maintain hygiene and most important stay calm. Let us not drive each other and the doctors crazy. The swine flu is as bad as the common flu or the malaria, dengue etc. which we are at risk for even otherwise.