TREATMENT FOR SWINE FLU

[sajiv]

TREATMENT OF SWINE FLU


Chennai  King Institute of Preventive Medicine (24/7 Service)        Guindy, Chennai – 32        (044) 22501520, 22501521 & 22501522

Communicable Diseases Hospital ,Thondiarpet, Chennai    (044) 25912686/87/88, 9444459543


Government General Hospital ,Opp. Central Railway Station, Chennai – 03    (044) 25305000, 25305723, 25305721, 25330300


Pune   Naidu Hospital    Nr Le'Meridian, Raja Bahadur Mill, GPO, Pune - 01  (020) 26058243
National Institute of Virology    20A Ambedkar Road , Pune - 11    (020) 26006290


Kolkata    ID Hospital    57,Beliaghata, Beliaghata Road , Kolkata - 10    (033) 23701252


Coimbatore - Government General Hospital    Near Railway Station,Trichy Road, Coimbatore - 18    (0422) 2301393, 2301394, 2301395, 2301396


Hyderabad - Govt. General and Chest Diseases Hospital    Erragadda, Hyderabad    (040) 23814939

Mumbai - Kasturba Gandhi Hospital    Arthur Road, N M Joshi Marg, Jacob Circle , Mumbai - 11    (022) 23083901, 23092458, 23004512

Sir J J Hospital    J J Marg, Byculla, Mumbai - 08    (022) 23735555, 23739031, 23760943, 23768400 / 23731144 / 5555 / 23701393 / 1366
Haffkine Institute    Acharya Donde Marg, Parel, Mumbai - 12    (022) 24160947, 24160961, 24160962

Kochi - Government Medical College    Gandhi Nagar P O, Kottayam - 08    (0481) 2597311,2597312
Government Medical College    Vandanam P O, Allapuzha - 05    (0477) 2282015


Taluk Hospital - Railway Station Road , Alwaye, Ernakulam    (0484) 2624040  Sathyajit - 09847840051
Taluk Hospital - Perumbavoor PO , Ernakulam 542    (0484) 2523138  Vipin - 09447305200

Gurgaon &Delhi    All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)    Ansari Nagar, Aurobindo Marg Ring Road , New Delhi - 29    (011) 26594404, 26861698  Prof. R C Deka - 9868397464


National Institute for Communicable Diseases    22, Sham Nath Marg, New Delhi - 54    (011) 23971272/060/344/524/449/326
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital    Kharak Singh Marg,New Delhi - 01    (011) 23741640, 23741649, 23741639Dr. N K Chaturvedi – 9811101704


Vallabhai Patel Chest Institute University Enclave, New Delhi- 07    (011) 27667102, 27667441, 27667667, 27666182
Bangalore    Victoria Hospital, K R Market, Kalasipalayam, Bangalore - 02    (080) 26703294  Dr. Gangadhar - 94480-49863


SDS Tuberculosis & Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases , Hosur Road, Hombegowda Nagar, Bangalore - 29    (080) 26631923  Dr. Shivaraj - 99801-48780

[dhilipkumar]

Tulasi Can Keep Swine Flu AWAY <Not Verified authenticity>

  Tulsi can help keep swine flu away: Ayurvedic experts

  Lucknow, May 27: Wonder herb Tulsi can not only keep the dreaded swine flu at bay but also help in fast recovery of an afflicted person, Ayurvedic practitioners claim.


"The anti-flu property of Tulsi has been discovered by medical experts across the world quite recently. Tulsi improves the body's overall defence mechanism including its ability to fight viral diseases. It was successfully used in combating Japanese Encephalitis and the same theory applies to swine flu," Dr U K Tiwari, a herbal medicine practitioner says.

Apart from acting as a preventive medicine in case of swine flu, Tulsi can help the patient recover faster.

"Even when a person has already contracted swine flu, Tulsi can help in speeding up the recovery process and also help in strengthening the immune system of the body," he claims.

Dr Bhupesh Patel, a lecturer at Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar is also of the view that Tulsi can play an important role in controlling swine flu.

"Tulsi can control swine flu and it should be taken in fresh form. Juice or paste of at least 20-25 medium sized leaves should be consumed twice a day on an empty stomach."

This increases the resistance of the body and, thereby, reduces the chances of inviting swine flu," believes Patel.

From:

http://www.reenitamalhotrahora.com/nine-rejuvenating-herbs-and-fruits-that-will-get-you-to-the-top-of-your-game-in-2009/      Date 4th. Aug 2009

  See also: http://article.wn.com/view/2009/06/12/An_Ayurvedic_approach_to_building_immunity_during_the_outbre/?section=RegionNAmerica&template=worldnews%2Findex.txt

[sajiv]

Steps taken to prevent outbreak of swine flu

Round-the-clock helpline created in six hospitals

Masks to be provided to all medical staff

Rail passengers to be screened at Karur

KARUR: All efforts are being taken to prevent incidence of swine flu in Karur district. As a precautionary measure, a 24-hour special helpline has been formed in six government hospitals in Karur district, according to Joint Director of Medical and Health Services T.A.R. Akbar Ali.

Dr. Ali was addressing a sensitisation and awareness meeting convened here for the benefit of medical and paramedical professionals in preventing and managing the epidemic.

No incident of the flu has been reported from any part of Karur district.

However, the department was not lowering guard and was going ahead with efforts to prevent incidence of the epidemic by putting in place all possible care and measures.

The Health Department was coordinating with the district administration in monitoring the situation in Karur district, Dr. Ali said.

A cell has been created in the Karur Government Hospital to treat cases of swine flu on round-the-clock basis. Enough medicines have been stocked in the hospitals. Separate medical detachment has been deployed at the Karur Railway Junction to screen the passengers arriving from the northern states.

Efforts are also under way to create awareness among the rural masses of the effects of the flu, avoid any panic and means to prevent the disease, Dr. Ali said.

Masks would be provided to all the staff working at 31 primary health centres and six government hospitals in the district, the Joint Director said.

It would be prudent to take all preventive steps to save oneself from the flu, he said. Simple means of prevention like repetitive washing of hands and face and drinking only boiled water, would help.

Symptoms such as hard respiration, fever for three consecutive days, pain in the throat, sleeplessness, pain in the arms and limbs were some indicators for any person to immediately reach the doctor for treatment and screening for any ailment including the swine flu, Dr. Akbar Ali said.

Deputy Director of Health Services K. Sadasivam, and other officials, medical professionals and paramedics were present.

[sajiv]

A(H1N1) claims first victim in Karnataka

BANGALORE: The A(H1N1) influenza pandemic claimed its first reported victim in Karnataka when a 26-year-old Bangalore schoolteacher succumbed to the virus on Wednesday at St. Philomena's Hospital.

Roopa Anand, a teacher in Sudarshan Vidya Mandir, a private school, died following complications after she developed "acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and sepsis secondary to atypical pneumonia (bilateral)", Medical Director of the hospital Shankar Prasad told The Hindu.

Ms. Anand's brother M.V. Raju, a sculptor, castigated the hospital doctors. "She had fever for just one day. We never thought she would die so suddenly." The family had spent nearly Rs. 70,000 on her treatment, he said. "But they have not yet given us any reports about her testing positive for A(H1N1)."

Ms. Anand is survived by her husband and two children, aged five and three.
Hospital refutes charge

Refuting the allegations, Dr. Prasad said Ms. Anand was brought to the hospital on August 7, after five days of running a fever. "We diagnosed her for right lower lobe pneumonia and started treatment. But when her condition deteriorated even after two days of treatment and she developed respiratory distress, we suspected it to be A(H1N1) and immediately isolated her and put her on Tamiflu. Simultaneously, we also sent her throat and nasal swabs for tests," he said.

"Sometimes the symptoms are mild and not evident at the initial stage. As she had no history of foreign travel or exposure to any A(H1N1) patients, we treated her for pneumonia. But we put her on Tamiflu soon after she showed A(H1N1)-like symptoms and also informed the family," he said.

He said the family wanted to shift her to some other hospital. "But other hospitals refused to admit a critically ill patient. The family then gave an undertaking to continue her treatment in our hospital."

Dr. Prasad said Ms. Anand did not have a history of any associated problems. "Though she was not a known diabetic, she had developed stress-induced hyperglycaemia at the hospital. Though other A(H1N1)-positive patients have died because of associated health problems, our patient [Ms. Anand] did not have any such thing."

He refuted allegations that there was a delay in getting the report. "The usual time taken to get a sample tested is 24 to 48 hours; but we did not delay providing A(H1N1) treatment to her."

[sajiv]

Advice about swine flu

Swine flu has spread across the world since emerging in Mexico and is now officially the first flu pandemic for 40 years. Experts fear millions of people will be infected.
What is swine flu and what are the symptoms?
   
SWINE FLU SYMPTOMS
Human body with internal organs
Typical symptoms: sudden fever (38C or above) and sudden cough
1. Other symptoms include: Tiredness and chills
2. Headache, sore throat, runny nose and sneezing
3. Stomach upset, loss of appetite, diarrhoea
4. Aching muscles, limb or joint pain
Source: NHS

Swine flu is a respiratory disease, caused by a strain of the influenza type A virus known as H1N1.
H1N1 is the same strain which causes seasonal outbreaks of flu in humans on a regular basis.

But this latest version of H1N1 is different: it contains genetic material that is typically found in strains of the virus that affect humans, birds and swine.
Although the strain may have originated in pigs, it is now a wholly human disease.
It can be spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing.

Symptoms of swine flu in humans appear to be similar to those produced by standard, seasonal flu.
A fever - which is a temperature of 38ºC (100.4ºF) - is the key symptom, combined with other complaints which may include a cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and aching limbs. Some people with the virus have also reported nausea and diarrhoea.

As with normal flu, the severity of symptoms will depend on treatment and the individual. Many people have only suffered mildly and have begun to recover within a week.
People are most infectious soon after they develop symptoms, but they cease to be a risk once those symptoms have disappeared. The incubation period may be as little as two days.

Apparently healthy people are dying from the virus. Does that means it is getting worse?
Experts say this does not change anything, and that if anything it is surprising that it has taken this long in the UK for someone without underlying health problems to die.
   
THE AT RISK GROUPS
People with lung disease
People with heart disease
People with kidney disease
People with diabetes
Those with immunosuppression problems either because of treatment or disease
Patients who have had drug treatment for asthma
Pregnant women
Children under five
Apparently healthy people can die of any flu-related virus if it causes complications such as pneumonia so these latest deaths do not give any extra cause for concern.

Indeed, so far, many people who have developed symptoms of infection have not needed drugs to make a full recovery, according to the WHO.
Flu expert Professor Peter Openshaw, of Imperial College London, says about one in every three people who become infected will not realise they have had swine flu because they will have had no or only very few symptoms.

"About 98% of people who get infected will recover fully without any hospital treatment so I think the public needs to be reassured."

The real fear is that the strain will mutate and become more virulent which would pose a greater threat. This has been the feature of previous flu pandemics.
But this has not yet happened - and in any event it is worth remembering that seasonal flu often poses a serious threat to public health - each year it kills 250,000 - 500,000 around the world.

Why are younger people more affected?
In the UK the infection has been found to affect younger people more due to it spreading quickly in schools where there is a lot of mixing and where infections can quickly spread. This is not unusual and children are known to be important in the spread of flu. It is thought that older age groups may have some immunity as they have been exposed to previous H1N1 viruses.



How is it treated?
Two drugs commonly used to treat flu, Tamiflu and Relenza, are effective at treating infection, reducing the length of the illness and cutting the chances that people will have serious complications.
Use of these drugs may also make it less likely that infected people will pass the virus on to others.
However, the drugs must be administered at an early stage to be effective.

Researchers have also questioned whether the drugs are helpful in children aged between one and 12, saying the risk of side effects might outweigh any benefits.
But the Department of Health maintains a "safety-first approach" of offering antivirals to everyone remains a sensible and responsible way forward.
It said it would keep the policy under review.
The UK government already has a stockpile of Tamiflu, ordered as a precaution against a pandemic.

There is also concern that if too many people start taking anti-virals as a precaution, it could raise the risk of the virus developing resistance, reducing the drugs' effectiveness.
There is however no evidence at present that this is happening.
In any event there is little point taking these drugs as a precaution as each tablet only provides a day's worth of cover. Given that the virus may be with us for many months - or indeed years - taking a regular pill is ill-advised as the long-term side effects are not known.
The drugs can have side-effects, most commonly nausea and vomiting.

What measures then can I take to prevent infection?
As yet there is no vaccine, but manufacturers are trying to develop one. Good progress is being made and the first doses may be available in the UK by August. However the NHS says it may be next year before everyone can be immunised.
   
FLU PANDEMICS
1918: The Spanish flu pandemic remains the most devastating outbreak of modern times. Caused by a form of the H1N1 strain of flu, it is estimated that up to 40% of the world's population were infected, and more than 50 million people died, with young adults particularly badly affected

1957: Asian flu killed two million people. Caused by a human form of the virus, H2N2, combining with a mutated strain found in wild ducks. The impact of the pandemic was minimised by rapid action by health authorities, who identified the virus, and made vaccine available speedily. The elderly were particularly vulnerable

1968: An outbreak first detected in Hong Kong, and caused by a strain known as H3N2, killed up to one million people globally, with those over 65 most likely to die
Older people and those under 16 - as well as health workers and those with existing clinical conditions - will be given priority.
It is hoped that even if the virus mutates in coming months, the vaccine would still confer a high degree of protection against related strains.

In the meantime, avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and who have fever and cough.
General infection control practices and good hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including the human swine influenza.

This includes covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible and disposing of it promptly.
It is also important to wash your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people, and cleaning hard surfaces like door handles frequently using a normal cleaning product.

In Mexico masks have been handed out to the general public, but experts are sceptical about how useful this is.
Some suggest it may even be counterproductive.

What is the advice for pregnant women?
The Department of Health has clarified its advice on how expectant mothers should protect themselves following a series of apparently mixed messages.

Concerns were heightened after a woman with swine flu died last week shortly after giving birth prematurely.
Pregnant women are among the groups at increased risk from swine flu. It is important that they follow the advice about hand hygiene.
They may also want to avoid very crowded places and unnecessary travel, but experts stressed people should use their own judgement and should carry on with their daily lives.

[sajiv]

10 home remedies to avoid swine flu

1. Have five duly washed leaves of Tulsi (known as Basil in English; medicinal name Ocimum sanctum) everyday in the morning. Tulsi has a large number of therapeutic properties. It keeps throat and lungs clear and helps in infections by way of strengthening your immunity.

2. Giloi (medicinal name Tinospora cordifolia) is a commonly available plant in many areas. Take a one-foot long branch of giloi, add five to six leaves of Tulsi and boil in water for 15-20 minutes or long enough to allow the water to extract its properties. Add black pepper and sendha (salt used during religious fasts), rock or black salt, or Misri (crystalised sugar like lumps to make it sweet) according to taste. Let it cool a bit and drink this kadha (concoction) while still warm. It will work wonders for your immunity. If giloi plant is not available, get processed giloi powder from Hamdard or others, and concoct a similar drink once a day.

3. A small piece of camphor (kapoor) approximately the size of a tablet should be taken once or twice a month. It can be swallowed with water by adults while children can take it along with mashed potatoes or banana because they will find it difficult to have it without any aides. Please remember camphor is not to be taken everyday, but only once each season, or once a month.

4. Those who can take garlic, must have two pods of raw garlic first thing in the morning. To be swallowed daily with lukewarm water. Garlic too strengthens immunity like the earlier measures mentioned.

5. Those not allergic to milk, must take a glass of hot or lukewarm milk every night with a small measure of haldi (turmeric).

6. Aloe vera (gwarpatha) too is a commonly available plant. Its thick and long, cactus-like leaves have an odourless gel. A teaspoon gel taken with water daily can work wonders for not only your skin and joint pains, but also boost immunity.

7. Take Homeopathic Medicines— Pyrogenium 200 and Inflenzium 200 in particular — five tablets three times a day, or two-three drops three times a day. While these are not specifically targeted at H1N1 either, these work well as preventive against common flu virus.

8. Do Pranayam daily (preferably under guidance if you are already not initiated into it) and go for morning jog/walk regularly to keep your throat and lungs in good condition and body in fine fettle. Even in small measures, it will work wonders for your body's resistance against all such diseases which attack the nose, throat and lungs, besides keeping you fit.

9. Have citrus fruits, particularly Vitamin C rich Amla (Indian gooseberry) juice. Since fresh Amla is not yet available in the market (not for another three to four months), it is not a bad idea to buy packaged Amla juice which is commonly available nowadays.

10. Last but not the least, wash your hands frequently every day with soap and warm water for 15-20 seconds; especially before meals, or each time after touching a surface that you suspect could be contaminated with flu virus such as a door handle or a knob/handle, especially if you have returned from a public place or used public transport. Alcohol-based hand cleaners should be kept handy at all times and used until you can get soap and warm water.

[sajiv]

Media campaign to spread flu awareness

CHENNAI: On a day when the total number of positive A(H1N1) cases rose to 154, the State Health Department chalked out strategy to take the attack against the virus to the next level by launching a media campaign to spread awareness among the public and physicians.

Four spots have been prepared for release on television. These have been funded by the State government. The importance of communicating key facts about the A(H1N1) virus to allay panic among people was stressed at a high-level meeting of health officials called by Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam. It was at the meeting that the campaign materials – CDs and posters – were released.

Principal Secretary, Health, V.K. Subburaj, Public Health Director S. Elango, Director of Medical Education S. Vinayagam, deputy and joint directors of public health and deans of government medical colleges attended the meeting that took stock of the situation.

It was also an occasion to provide orientation on three categories specified in Central and State protocols – 1, 2, and 3. While Category 1 and 2 patients do not need diagnostic tests, Category 3 comprises the "high risk" elements who need to be tested and put on Tamiflu. Category 2 patients also need to be put on Tamiflu, officials stressed.

A total of 65 lakh Viral Transport Media, used to transport samples, have been purchased to take the swabs collected to the King Institute of Preventive Medicine.

The government was spending up to Rs.10,000 on each person who tests positive and Rs.5,000 for every test that comes negative.

On Thursday, 25 persons, including nine in Coimbatore, tested positive. Of the total 154 cases recorded as of 2 p.m., 72 patients had been discharged while 82 were being treated in hospital or under domestic quarantine.

Mr. Panneerselvam said district hospitals were gearing to face the situation at the local level. Special isolation wards would be set up.

[sajiv]

MP for A(H1N1) testing centres

MYSORE: Perturbed by the increasing number of A(H1N1) cases in the State, A.H. Vishwanath, MP, suggested that testing facilities be set up in Mysore.

Mr. Vishwanath, who was participating in the Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) review meeting said that funds could be utilised under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) but officials said that the existing format did not provide for utilising funds meant for JNNURM projects. They suggested that money could be used from the Chief Minister's special grant of Rs.100 crore.

Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Shobha Karandlaje suggested that a separate meeting be convened to discuss the issue.

[sajiv]

Seminar held on swine flu

VISAKHAPATNAM: Most of the swine flu victims treated in the district were air travellers and those who reached here from the places within a week after confirmed cases of swine flu were reported, were also treated as suspect cases, District Medical and Health Officer J. Sarojini said at a seminar on swine flu organised by GITAM University here on Wednesday.

Seven of the passengers who tested swine flu positive. They were treated and all of them recovered, Dr. Sarojini said.

The first case was reported on July 21 from among the list of passengers received from Hyderabad after the passenger travelled from abroad along with a confirmed case of swine flu.

The DMHO explained the treatment aspects and protection measures. Nine swine flu screening centres had been set up. She advised pregnant women and children to take plenty of water and nutritious food to avoid viral diseases.