UT Health Department issues advisory on H1N1

Chandigarh, December 17

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The UT Health Department has issued an advisory to the general public on the occurrence of seasonal influenza A (H1N1), commonly known as swine flu.

In a statement issued here, the Director, Health, said: “Due to the onset of winter season, there is an expected upsurge of influenza-like illness (ILI) cases in the region. Being a viral disease, it is a self-limiting one. But if symptoms do not subside, the patient should report to the nearest health facility.”

People with certain chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, airway disease and heart disease, adults of 65 years or older, children younger than 5 years and pregnant women are at higher risk for severe illness.

HINI flu symptoms include high fever, cough, sore throat, running or stuffy nose, difficulty in breathing, body aches, headaches, chills, diarrhoea, vomiting, blood in sputum, fatigue, blue colour of skin or lips and altered behaviour. Small children may be irritable, do not take fluids and refuse to accept feeds.

The Health Department advised people with such symptoms to visit the nearest health centre and stay at home, if advised by the doctor. The patient must not travel or go to work or school and reduce exposure within the household. The patient must avoid close contact with others for 7 days after symptoms begin or until he/she has been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. — TNS