Swine Flu: Health check

The H1 N1 flu is still considered a moderate infection - healthy people will even clear the viral infection from their systems, without medication, we're told.

Having said that, here's when YOU need to worry - flu-like symptoms, cough cold, sore throat, ESPECIALLY if you have persistent fever, check with your GP. If it is flu (though s/he can't diagnose swine flu himself) he may recommend you go in for testing.

Extreme caution please if you have

1) Respiratory trouble, if you have asthma or other breathing related issues

2) If you have diabetes or hypertension

3) If you are obese

4) If you feel lethargic

5) If you have blood in your spit

6) If nails are turning blue

The above are definite warning signs (especially the respiratory distress) and mean you're anyway more at risk of complications. The virus CAN be fatal, as we've seen, especially in people with compromised immunity -- this includes pregnant women, young children, children with disabilities.

You can call 1075, the government's helpline number for symptoms, and even designated hospitals in your area, where tests for the virus are being conducted.

Please remember that tests are only recommended when doctors suspect you may have H1 N1. In hotspots like Pune, doctors are being recommended to administer the anti-viral medication oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu) immediately on serious suspected cases, instead of waiting for the confirmatory tests to come back.

There is another drug zanamvir (brand name Relenza) that has proved effective even in the handful of cases worldwide that showed resistance to Tamiflu.

It's worries about the virus becoming resistant to the medication that has prompted the government to maintain strict control over stocks of the medicine (despite criticism from certain quarters) - especially since everything essentially becomes over-the-counter, with pharmacies selling pills on demand. If the virus became resistant large-scale, there's no second line of defence besides Relenza, which the government has not stock-piled.

Remember this is shaping up to be one of the biggest outbreaks of the 21st century, with worries of a potentially more dangerous "second wave" of the flu coming back in the winter. By then the government estimates MILLIONS of us potentially will catch the virus, most of us will be safe - by this stage, they'll be prescribing treatment but mainly home quarantine. Hopefully the virus won't mutate and get resistant to the medicine.

As of now, remain vigilant, but don't worry too much - if you ARE concerned about symptoms, check with a GP as well (can rule out bacterial infection, other conditions).

When it comes to masks -- the jury's still out on how effective they are on THIS strain of the virus.

Here's some info -- go with the three-layered surgical mask (especially if you're visiting government hospitals to get tested, or if you're in places you think you could easily catch the virus). In fact it's being distributed free at Pune government hospitals. The more sophisticated N-95 mask is tougher to find, but recommended for use for healthcare providers, i.e., doctors treating H1 N1 patients, and their families.

Everyone doesn't need to wear a mask, everyone doesn't need to get tested. Everyone DOES need to remember basic hand hygiene and good old common sense --

Some pointers to protect yourself:

Wash hands regularly especially after coughing or sneezing

Cover colds or coughs

Don't blow your nose or cough into your hands without washing up!

Use tissue ideally, and dispose of after.

Soap and water, alcohol-based hand cleaners, hand sanitisers are effective

Rub alcohol-based hand cleaners into hands until dry

Don't touch your eyes and mouth, viruses spread this way

Avoid close contact with people who are sick and avoid crowded places where necessary

Watch your health - Drink plenty of fluids, manage stress, get enough sleep, eat well

Don't share drinks/ utensils etc where germs can spread easily

If your kids have flu-like symptoms or fever, keep them home from school. Get a medical opinion if any of those warning signs show up