If your nose is stuffy or is running

If one is coughing, feeling fever with a sore throat and a stuffy or a runny nose, having body aches with a severe headache, and developing chills and fatigue, the symptoms tell that they have contracted H1NI flu, or seasonal influenza, which has gripped Punjab and Islamabad in these winter months. Unlike the regular flu, which often fades in a matter of days or weeks, swine flu can lead to lung infection, pneumonia, and breathing problems. So far, the viral strain has claimed four lives in Bahawalpur and 18 in Multan, totaling 28 in the country, whereas, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, more than 400 suspected cases of the fatal flu have been reported in the country. Of them, the bloodwork of 120 tested positive while others’ lab work is the working. In the Nishtar Hospital of Multan, six fresh cases of seasonal influenza were admitted while the Bahawal Victoria Hospital has also four patients admitted for treatment. The number is growing, which should be a matter of great concern for the health authorities.

An awareness campaign should be launched in the media to educate the public about the effects of the seasonal flu.  Specialists on infectious diseases say the first thing the people should do is: do not panic if they have caught flu. This is a hard task given 28 deaths in the country in a matter of three weeks. Doctors explain that the virus is less harmful to adult and healthy people and they need not visit a doctor in case of catching the flu as their immunity will put them on the recovery path in days. Flu, however, is dangerous for those suffering from diabetes, lung cancer, asthma and heart ailments. Children and elderly people are susceptible to the harms of influenza that can even lead to death.

As hospitals have been put on alert, patients can buy influenza vaccine, which is available in the market. One shot remains effective for a year. Patients should keep their medical history updated, and should go to well-equipped hospitals. In several deaths, the main cause was the late confirmation of the disease; the timely detection of the disease would have saved their lives. According to an advisory by the NIH last month, “the people who are elderly or very young, pregnant, obese, immune-compromised or face chronic health problems such as asthma, diabetes, cardiac and lung diseases are at high-risk of developing complications from the H1N1 virus. Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes as the virus survives on common surfaces, etc. Take rest, avoid crowds and take other social distancing measures. Young children having flu should stay home, rather than going to school, to avoid chances of transferring the virus to other children. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. Avoid contaminating your hands, cough or sneeze into a tissue or the inner crook of your elbow. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection and severe outcomes caused by influenza viruses particularly in high-risk groups”.

The government and the public should take seasonal influenza seriously. The government should launch awareness campaigns and prepare hospitals to treat the patients in timely manners by providing them with several test kits and anti-flu vaccines and antibacterial drugs. The public should also do its part: follow the advisory by the NIH.