Be aware of signs, symptoms of swine flu, says CMO Bawa

Kapurthala, December 17

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In an awareness programme on swine flu, CMO Kapurthala Dr Jasmeet Bawa said swine flu was an acute respiratory disease which was highly contagious. The causative agent of the disease is H1N1 virus, she said.

She said the virus gets transmitted by airborne droplets from an infected person’s sneeze or cough; or from germs on hands, or contaminated surface. Symptoms of the flu are usually similar to those of seasonal flu. Those include fever, cold, cough, nausea, vomiting and breathing problems. She added that with proper precaution and treatment it could be cured.

A good hygiene can help reduce the spread of a wide range of viral diseases such as influenza virus and other viruses. She said it was necessary that people should be aware of signs and symptoms of the disease. Dr Jasmeet said people who get infected with the virus should follow respiratory etiquettes, cover their mouth and nose while sneezing, frequently wash their hands with soap and water, avoid going to crowded places and take plenty of liquids in their diet. — OC