The 2009 horror virus, H1N1 or Swine Flu - pandemic Influenza A - that originated in Mexico and shook the world (like AIDS did in the early sixties), simply refuses to die. In Gurgaon too a few people have been affected by the dreaded virus. They have exhibited flu like symptoms - including fever, cough, sore throat, body ache, headache, chill and fatigue. Some have also complained of nausea, while a few have suffered diarrhoea. This has compelling the Gurgaon authorities to issue a health alert. Influenza A, the most commonly circulating strain of influenza, continues to spread globally. More than 3, 50,000 persons across the world are reported to have been afflicted with this disease, since 2009. The virus is particularly dangerous because it spreads in the same way as ‘regular’ influenza. The symptoms are also typically the same. Affected persons cough and sneeze – and help spread the disease among large numbers. People with low immunity levels are the most risk prone. Unfortunately, health awareness in India is quite low. No one really knows what he can contract from the air above, because he rarely is aware of his blood profile or immunity level. While regular health checks are becoming increasingly ‘popular’, this habit has not spread among the masses, mainly because of the cost factor. And the normal health insurance plans do not cover preventive checks. The H1N1 virus was first detected in human beings way back in 1918, when almost a third of the world population was affected by Influenza A. It was an exceptionally severe disease. It was named Swine Flu because pigs were also attacked by the same virus around the same time. The first identification that the disease emanated from an illness among pigs was made in 1930. The influenza strains in pigs are almost exclusively H1N1. Therefore the H1N1 viral strain implicated in the 2009 flu pandemic among humans was referred to as Swine Flu, because initial testing showed that many of the genes in the virus were similar to influenza viruses normally occurring in North American swine (pigs).
However, the perils to human life notwithstanding, the disease can be cured. There is no need to panic. Dr. Dubey, Superintendent of Medanta Hospital, says, “Every severe cough, cold and fever should now not be mistaken as the H1N1 virus. If somebody is suffering from cold and fever, he should consult a doctor for further detection and confirmation. For example, he may be suffering from respiratory distress.” Dr. Dubey feels that it is very important to significantly increase the awareness about this disease. He says that the government and private hospitals have been fairly active on this since the detection of the first case in Pune some years ago. He adds that people must guard against an indiscriminate consumption of antibiotics. “Sometimes people just start taking some antibiotics, thinking that this may prevent, or halt, such a disease. Not only would this be futile, but it could later lead to a few side effects.”
A victim of the Swine Flu, Dr. Sharmila Sengupta, Microbiologist at Medanta Hospital, tells FG, "My son had also got affected. While we both came out of it well, it can be dangerous, especially for pregnant ladies.” Dr. Sharmila clarifies that the consumption of animal flesh or chicken is not directly responsible for the disease in human beings. “It is an airborne virus, and hence only proper sanitary conditions can reduce the impact of the disease,” she says. “Good hygiene is a must to prevent viral attacks.” The virus, basically a severe form of Influenza A. needs to be properly monitored. Medicines are now quite easily available. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), an antivirus, has been found to be affective, Dr. Sengupta says.
The real fear surrounds the high-risk groups, who can easily get affected by this virus. According to World Bank reports, some of the more risk prone are health workers, who have to work in extremely trying conditions, and also prisoners. Further, these kinds of airborne diseases are observed during a change of season. During these times, utmost precaution should be taken. Doctors advise simple hygienic behaviour, such as washing one’s hands properly before and after a meal or a visit to the washroom, or using a handkerchief when sneezing. In places where the risk is pretty high, facemasks are advised, to prevent the breathing in of dust or other toxic airborne particles. People are also advised to take an antiviral injection at least once a year, to guard against airborne diseases. Evidently, awareness on such precautionary measures is low. The State Civil Surgeon at Gurgaon, Dr. Pushpa, says that records at private hospitals have shown that seven persons had been afflicted with the H1N1 virus - out of which one succumbed to the disease. She adds that the State hospital has no record of any patient afflicted with Swine Flu. “We are coming up with various programmes, including the publication of pamphlets, to raise the level of awareness among the people,” she says. She believes that, apart from maintaining hygiene, there must be timely reporting of the disease to health centres and treatment must be initiated as soon as possible. The ‘lay’ public has formed its own opinions. Raju, an auto driver, says, “I am aware of this. I had stopped eating chicken and mutton. I also think that the increase in the population of pigs in Gurgaon could be one of the reasons for the spreading of such diseases.” Dr. Pushpa stresses that the disease does not result from the consumption of animal flesh. It seems that the ‘Swachh Bharat’ sanitation programme is timely for this. It should significantly help the cause of cleanliness and the adoption of better sanitary measures by the people. We all need to get our act together; the air around us definitely has to get cleaner (more virus free).
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