The rise in the number of swine flu cases in the national capital is alarmingly high, with 173 people testing positive for H1N1 influenza, also known as swine flu, in the last six days of this month alone, as per a data released by the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Till January 28, the disease took 18 lives according to news agency ANI.
ALSO READ: 173 people test positive for swine flu in NCR; All you need to know about H1N1 virus
What is H1N1 virus?
Swine Flu, also known as H1N1 virus, is influenza that is said to have originated in pigs, from where it spread to humans. There are three categories of the H1N1 virus – A, B and C – while the first two are considered, stable, the last one is more deadly, and needs immediate ventilation support.
What causes Swine Flu?
The virus is highly contagious and can spread among humans through saliva and mucus of the infected person. The already affected people can spread the virus by coughing or sneezing, and one may get affected after touching a surface covered with the virus and then touching his or her eyes or nose.
Swine Flu Symptoms
The initial symptoms of H1N1 are quite similar to normal influenza with symptoms like fever, fatigue, shortness of breath, body ache, cough, nasal secretion, sore throat, chills, diarrhoea and vomiting.
Treatment
Typical treatment includes rest, pain relievers and fluids. In some cases antiviral medication and IV fluids may be required. It mostly has to do with relieving the syptoms. Antiviral drug, Cough medicine, Decongestant, Analgesic, and Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug are usually prescribed by the doctor. The infected person should take a lot of fluids to replenish water and nutrients in the body.
Prevention is better than cure
Maintaining one’s hygiene is the best way to prevent not only swine flu, but also many other diseases, especially the ones that are contagious. While visiting the hospital or an infected patient, one must wear gloves and mask and always wash their hands after the meeting.
ALSO READ: 22-YO girl converts AirPods to earrings to prevent them from losing
Swine flu cases generally rise in the winter season and a majority of people contracting the disease in the month of December and January. Recently BJP President Amit Shah was hospitalized with swine flu.
The state has witnessed 72 deaths in the past one month.
A total of 169 people died in the country of swine flu according to NCDC.
Click here for Latest News updates and viral videos on our AI-powered smart news