Health Department ‘swine flu ready’

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 6

The Health Department has geared up to tackle swine flu cases from the district. Necessary kits have been provided to all government and private hospitals and vaccination of the hospital staff, who can come in contact with swine flu patients has also been done. Separate isolated wards have been prepared by all government and private hospitals.

Civil Surgeon Dr Parvinder Pal Singh Sidhu said instructions regarding swine flu have been given to all private and government hospitals.

“Necessary kits have been provided and the vaccination of the staff has been completed. Hospitals have been asked to form isolated wards for swine flu patients,” he said.

Dr Rajinder Gulati, Senior Medical Officer at Civil Hospital, Khanna, said they were prepared for tackling swine flu cases. “We have six beds in isolation for swine flu patients,” he said.

Ludhiana Civil Hospital has two separate rooms with three beds in each room for swine flu patients. The staff members, who can come in contact with swine flu patients, have been vaccinated.

The Dayanand Medical College and Hospital has four beds in isolation, while SPS Hospital has prepared an isolation ward. The Christian Medical College and Hospital, too, has set up the special ward. All private hospitals confirmed that they have received the safety kits for swine flu from the Health Department.

District Epidemiologist Dr Ramesh said the isolated wards have been formed at Civil Hospitals, Sub Divisional Hospitals and Community Health Centres. Nearly six beds have been set up in isolation wards and at community health centres, according to space and capacity.

“We have asked the hospitals to pay special attention to B category patients, so that they do not become category C patients. Category B patients have symptoms that appear from one to four days after exposure to the virus. Such patients have high grade fever, runny nose, cough and sore throat,” Dr Ramesh said.

Viruses also spread by droplet infection, which might have deposited on common objects such as phones, laptops, common desk and chairs. So, avoid touching too many objects and wash your hands if you do, he said.

Symptoms 

Fever (but not always); Cough; Sore throat; Runny or stuffy nose; Watery, red eyes; Body aches; Headache; Fatigue; Diarrhoea; Nausea and vomiting

Precautions 

• Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze
• Use disposable tissues instead of a handkerchief 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth too often
• Wash your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer 
• Try and avoid close contact especially with people who have flu