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Information on Government Hospital for H1N1 Influenza Treatment

 

B elow mentioned is a useful information on H1N1 influenza symptoms and list of authorized Government hospitals where treatment can be sought  . 

 

	GOVERNMENT AUTHORIZED HOSPITALS FOR TREATMENT OF SWINE FLU City Hospital Address Contact Chennai King Institute of Preventive Medicine ( 24/7 Service) Guindy, Chennai – 32 ( 044 ) 22501520, 22501521 & 22501522 Communicable Diseases Hospital Thondiarpet, Chennai ( 044 ) 25912686/87/88 , 9444459543 Government General Hospital Opp. Central Railway Station, Chennai – 03 ( 044 ) 25305000, 25305723, 25305721, 25330300 Pune Naidu Hospital Nr Le'Meridian, Raja Bahadur Mill, GPO, Pune – 01 ( 020 ) 26058243 National Institute of Virology 20A Ambedkar Road, Pune – 11 ( 020 ) 26006290 Kolkata ID Hospital 57,Beliaghata, Beliaghata Road, Kolkata - 10 ‎ ( 033 ) 23701252 Coimbatore Government General Hospital Near Railway Station, Trichy Road , Coimbatore – 18 ( 0422 ) 2301393 , 2301394 , 2301395 , 2301396 Hyderabad Govt. General and Chest Diseases Hospital, Erragadda, Hyderabad ( 040 ) 23814939 Mumbai Kasturba Gandhi Hospital Arthur Road, N M Joshi Marg, Jacob Circle, Mumbai - 11 ( 022 ) 23083901 , 23092458 , 23004512 Sir J J Hospital J J Marg, Byculla, Mumbai - 08 ( 022 ) 23735555, 23739031, 23760943 , 23768400 / 23731144 / 5555 / 23701393 / 1366 Haffkine Institute Acharya Donde Marg, Parel, Mumbai – 12 ( 022 ) 24160947, 24160961, 24160962 Kochi Government Medical College Gandhi Nagar P O, Kottayam - 08 (0481) 2597311,2597312 Government Medical College Vandanam P O, Allapuzha - 05 (0477) 2282015 Taluk Hospital Railway Station Road, Alwaye, Ernakulam (0484) 2624040  Sathyajit - 09847840051 Taluk Hospital Perumbavoor PO, Ernakulam 542 (0484) 2523138  Vipin - 09447305200 Gurgaon & Delhi All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Ansari Nagar, Aurobindo Marg Ring Road, New Delhi – 29 ( 011 ) 26594404, 26861698   P ro f. R C Deka - 9868397464 National Institute for Communicable Diseases 22, Sham Nath Marg, New Delhi – 54 ( 011 ) 23971272/060/344/524/449/326 Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi – 01 ( 011 ) 23741640, 23741649, 23741639 Dr. N K Chaturvedi – 9811101704 Vallabhai Patel Chest Institute University Enclave, New Delhi- 07 ( 011 ) 27667102, 27667441, 27667667, 27666182 Bangalore Victoria Hospital K R Market, Kalasipalayam, Bangalore – 02 (080) 26703294  Dr. Gangadhar - 94480-49863 SDS Tuberculosis & Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases Hosur Road , Hombegowda Nagar, Bangalore – 29 (080) 26631923  Dr. Shivaraj - 99801-48780   STAY ALERT! PREVENT AGAINST SWINE FLU

 

swine flu

What is Swine Flu?

 

Swine Flu is a respiratory disease, caused by a strain of the influenza virus known as H1N1. Although, H1N1 is the same strain that causes seasonal outbreaks of flu in humans, the latest type is different as it is a mutated version containing genetic material that is generally found in strains of the virus that affect humans, birds and swine (pigs).

What has happened this time is that the flu viruses from humans and pigs have swapped genetic components with each other, and evolved into a completely new variety – Hence the absence of any concrete treatment plan for it.

Although the strain may have originated in pigs, it is now a wholly human disease and is being transmitted person-to-person.

There are many different types of swine flu and like human flu, the infection is constantly changing. Swine flu does not normally infect humans, although sporadic cases do occur usually in people who have had close contact with pigs. There have also been rare documented cases of humans passing the infection to other humans. Human to human transmission of swine flu thought to spread in the same way as seasonal flu – through coughing and sneezing.

The outbreak in Mexico, which has now spread to most parts of the world seems to involve a new type of swine flu that contains DNA that is typically found in avian and human viruses. The World Health Organization has confirmed at least some of the cases are caused by this new strain of H1N1.

Swine Flu virus is genetically different from the fully human H1N1 seasonal influenza virus that has been circulating globally for the past few years. It contains DNA that is typical to avian, swine and human viruses, including elements from European and Asian swine viruses.

 

 

Symptoms and Precautions

The first symptoms of swine flu are fever (greater than 100°F or 37.8°C), sore throat, body ache and fatigue. Some patients have also complain about running nose diarrhoea and vomiting.

Persons who have travelled overseas recently should be extra cautious and seek medical help immediately if they have these symptoms.

But these symptoms alone would not suggest that a person is infected by Swine Flu, as it can be confirmed only after testing a respiratory specimen, that's taken from the suspected case within the first four to five days.

So it is important to seek medical help if one feels that he/she has flu.

As the flu is now spreading by people-to-people to contact, the infection primarily spreads when a person comes in close contact with an infected person. The simple way to minimise the risk is by covering the mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing and wearing a mask while going close to the infected person.

Maintaining high level of hygiene is also important and one should always wash hands frequently with soap and water.

Since influenza spreads through both air and contact with contaminated surfaces, surface sanitizing may help prevent some infections. For that alcohol is an effective sanitizer, bleach can also be used to sanitize rooms or equipment that have been occupied by patients with influenza symptoms.

People with the flu are advised to get plenty of rest, drink plenty of liquids, avoid using alcohol and tobacco and, if necessary, take medications such as paracetamol (acetaminophen) to relieve the fever and muscle aches associated with the flu.

However, the best way would be to get in touch with your doctor, who can help you get the right treatment.

Preventive medications are not advisable as it may lead to the development of resistance to the only known effective drug Tamiflu – the government of India has adequate stock of the drug.

Is Swine Flu Treatable?

Swine flu can be treated if caught very early with two of the anti-viral medications oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). Tamiflu is for treatment in adults and children aged 1 year and older, and must be taken within 48 hours of the first symptom.

 There are currently 4 types of antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the US for the treatment of influenza: Amantadine, Rimantadine, Oseltamivir and Zanamivir.

While most swine influenza viruses have been susceptible to these drugs, the most recent swine-flu viruses isolated from humans, are resistant to Amantadine and Rimantadine. None of these drugs prevent us from getting the virus, but can lesson the severity of the symptoms and shorten their duration.

While you can get yourself tested at private laboratries, treatment is being given only in Government hospitals for now.