SWINE FLU ASSAM: BABY DIES OF H1N1 FLU; SYMPTOMS, CAUSES AND PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE

A 15-month-old baby died in Assam’s Hailakandi district due to swine flu. The health officials said that four other people district were infected with the virus. The relatives accompanying the 15-month-old baby refused treatment at the hospital.

Speaking to IANS, Dr Bhaskar Gupta, Principal of Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) where the child was advised to be admitted for advanced treatment said, “The infant was admitted to the hospital in a critical condition. The doctors advised to put the patient on ventilator support but the relatives accompanying the patient refused the treatment and took away the child.”

The 15-month-old baby identified as Farhana Khanam was initially admitted at the civil hospital in Hailakandi, however, was later referred to SMCH.

Dr Alakananda Nath, Joint Director of Health Services in the Hailakandi district said, “When the relatives of the patient brought back the patient to the home without completing the treatment, the infant unfortunately died.”

Dr Gupta said that a total of five cases of swine flu were reported at SMCH. One of them has recovered completely and has been sent home.

What is swine flu?

Swine flu which is also known as H1N1 flu is a type of influenza A virus. Mayo Clinic says that during the 2009-10 flu season, a new H1N1 virus began causing illness in humans. It was often called swine flu and was a new combination of influenza viruses that infect pigs, birds and humans. Most people with flu get better on their own. However, complications of the flu can be severe for some people and for people at high risk, it can be fatal.

Signs and symptoms of swine flu

The signs of swine flu are similar to those of other flu viruses. Here, take a look at some of the common signs of flu:

  • Fever, but not always
  • Aching muscles
  • Chills and sweats
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Watery, red eyes
  • Eye pain
  • Body aches
  • Headache
  • Tiredness and weakness
  • Diarrhoea
  • Feeling sick to the stomach, and vomiting but this is more common in children than adults.

What causes swine flu?

The H1N1 virus infects the cells that line your nose throat and lungs. The virus can spread through air droplets when someone infected with the virus coughs, sneezes, breathes or talks. The virus then enters your body when you breathe the contaminated air droplets. However, you can’t get the flu from eating pork.

Complications that can arise due to swine flu

  • Worsening of chronic conditions, such as heart disease and asthma
  • Pneumonia
  • Neurological symptoms, ranging from confusion to seizures
  • Respiratory failure
  • Bronchitis
  • Muscle tenderness
  • Bacterial infections.

Preventive measures for swine flu

Preventing swine flu involves vaccination, good hygiene practices and minimizing exposure to the virus. Annual flu vaccinations are important, especially for people who have a high risk of contracting the virus. This improves their immunity against swine flu strains.

Practising frequent handwashing with soap and water, using alcohol-based sanitizers and covering coughs and sneezes. Also, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, staying home when ill and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces help prevent transmission.

2024-05-07T03:16:42Z dg43tfdfdgfd