By:Mubashar Mashqoor Mir: With the panic button pressed Jammu and Kashmir is speedily marching towards a pandemic disaster. The toll started with the first confirmed case of swine influenza emerging in Jammu and Kashmir on august 10 when a girl MBA student studying at Pune was tested positive. All suspected samples are sent to National Institute of Communicable diseases, New Delhi for confirmation.
Besides this, a H1NI Surveillance and Isolation centre has been established at Bhagwati Nagar area of Jammu. The total count till 18th of august had risen to over eight with five confirmed cases in Jammu and three in Kashmir. Our state being a tourism hub is more predisposed to the dangerous consequences of swine flu. It is indelible for every resident of the state to be well versed with what’s and how’s about swine influenza.
Swine flu was earlier seen mostly in pigs as it lacked infecting potential in humans. However, emergence of a new mutant strain i.e., H1N1A virus has caused outbreak in humans. This mutant strain is capable of causing human to human infections .1st case of swine flu in humans was seen in Mexico.
Transmission:
Mode of transmission is similar as in other influenza types .It is generally transmitted by:
1.Coughing
2.Sneezing
3.Coming in touch with infected objects like towels, clothes etc.
Symptoms:
1.Fever
2.Sore throat
3.Cough
4.Runing nose
5.Headache
6.Lethargy
7.Myalgia.
Some cases also showed symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting and nausea.
HIGH RISK GROUPS- include the patients already suffering from.
1. Asthma-
Swine flu exaggerates breathing difficulties in asthmatics.
2. Diabetes-
Swine flu may increase blood glucose levels in diabetics. This necessitates strict monitoring of blood glucose levels.
3. Cardiac problems and high Blood pressure-
Swine influenza may increase blood pressure and cause cardiac overload.
4. Elderly above 65 years of age.
5. Pregnant and Newborn.
COMPLICATIONS-of swine flu include:
1.Viral pneumonia
2.Bronchitis
3.Otitic infections and sinus involvement.
DIAGNOSIS:
Respiratory samples are collected i.e.
1.Throat swabs.
2. Gastric lavage can be done in children to collect respiratory material.
Samples collected are sent to some labs specialized for swine flu testing. Test for swine flu is done only in 19 labs in India at present.
TREATMENT:
Drugs found effective on swine influenza include:
1.OSELTAMIVIR-Brand name TAMIFLU.
2. ZANAMIVIR-Brand name RELENZA.
These drugs are not available in open market and are under restricted use to prevent indiscriminate use and drug resistance.
In J&K only few Govt. hospitals like GMC JAMMU AND GMC SRINAGAR have been designated to treat this pandemic.
Besides this RRTs (Rapid response teams) have been formed at district level to check spread of swine flu.
PREVENTION
1.Isolation of infected person and restricted contact with other people.
2. Proper disposal of infected materials.
3. Use of masks and gloves by medical staff and attendant of the patient.
4. Disinfection by alcohol based hand washes and disinfectants has proved to be effective.
Though swine flu is not primarily a lethal disease but it can prove to be life-threatening if not addressed within time.(the author is a scholar of MBBS at GMC Jammu.)