Another swine flu patient in critical condition

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 17

The condition of a swine flu patient, who delivered a baby boy at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) today, and the baby is stated to be critical. The patient, who belongs to Bathinda, was admitted to the hospital last week. Both mother and child have been put on ventilator.

Dr Ramesh Kumar, District Epidemiologist, said the delivery was done through C-section and now both mother and child had been put on ventilator. Their condition is critical, he said.

Earlier in December, Jyoti, a pregnant patient, who was admitted to the DMCH, died after delivering a baby girl on December 19. She belonged to Muktsar.

Of 60 patients of suspected swine flu, seven are undergoing treatment at the DMCH and the CMCH. Four deaths due to the virus have been reported in the city hospitals so far.

Dr Ramesh, said during the cold and flu season, one might come into contact with tiny germ-filled droplets released into the air by people while coughing and sneezinig. “We touch so many shared objects throughout the day such as stair rails, doorknobs, telephones, keyboards and elevator buttons. Effective hand-washing or use of an alcohol-based hand sanitiser will rid our hands of most germs and reduce the risk of contracting the virus,” he said.