Doctor issues advisory over surge in H1N1 infection

With the recent temperature dip in Delhi’s cold weather, there is a surge in cases of H1N1 infection, commonly known as Swine Flu. This is a subtype of the Influenza A virus which is highly contagious and creates human respiratory infections.

WHO (World Health Organisation) declared H1N1 as a pandemic in 2009, that year the virus caused an estimated 2,84,400 deaths worldwide. In 2010, the pandemic was over but the H1N1 flu strain from the pandemic became one of the strains that started causing seasonal flu.

People with comorbidities are more prone to be infected by this flu. It is important to note kids and elderly patients may face prolonged recovery from infections. Children below 2 tend to face worse effects of Influenza. Children may experience shortness of breath, dehydration, and irritability in advanced cases. There are a few other signs and symptoms which include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body ache, fatigue, breathlessness, confusion, and fever with rash.

Dr. Chandra Sekhar Singha, Senior Consultant, Pediatric Critical  Care, Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital, advised to stay at home to prevent the spread of infection. “Moreover, the best possible way to prevent H1N1 flu is to get an annual flu vaccine which can be used by anyone above 6 months of age group”, he said.