Experts warn of rise in swine flu cases in Delhi, urge people to take precautions

Swine flu cases are increasing in Delhi. Experts have urged people to wear masks and follow social distancing Criteria.

Dr Visakh Verma, Senior Consultant and HOD, Critical Care Medicine, Aakash Healthcare, said, “Since the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of the common cold, people often do not take it seriously in the initial stages until it becomes severe. “

He further added, “The patient of swine flu usually goes through a burning/sore throat, nasal and abdominal pain and cough. There is an additional symptom of shortness of breath.”

Suggesting measures to avoid infection, he stressed that it is imperative to maintain good hydration, hand hygiene, cough hygiene (in coughing and sneezing tissue), and proper disposal of this infected waste material.

Dr Manoj Goel, Director, Pulmonology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, said, “Due to the pandemic, flu vaccination was disrupted which may be responsible for the increase in swine flu cases. Is.”

“The situation could lead to an outbreak of swine flu,” he said.

He stressed that wearing masks and following social distancing norms will help in preventing swine flu.

His colleague, Dr Vikas Maurya, Director and HOD, Pulmonology, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh, also said that the cases of swine flu are increasing and those patients also need to be hospitalised.

This, he said, comes amid a slight increase in the number of COVID-19 Patients need hospitalization.

Dr Verma recommends that people vaccinate themselves with the quadriplegic flu vaccine shot before the peak of the season and for healthcare/high-risk cases.

“One case of swine flu has been reported in our hospital, where the patient had fever, cough and cold for three days. He also experienced difficulty in breathing a few hours before being admitted to the hospital. The patient is also diabetic and is on maintenance dialysis because of his CKD,” he said.

Dr Jugal Kishore, Head of Community Medicine, Safdarjung Hospital, said, “In August-September, we see a spike in cases and every two-three years, there is a cycle when such spikes happen.

He said, “The reason for this could be a decline in immunity or emergence of some new variant. Although there is vaccination, but no one goes for it. People should get vaccinated. This swine flu season may continue till November-December ,” They said.

He advised people to get vaccinated in April and May.

How to differentiate the symptoms of covid and swine flu?

Dr Manoj Goel, Director, Pulmonology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, explains the difference between symptoms of covid and swine flu, “In covid, shortness of breath occurs in the second week and in the first week in patients like There are symptoms. Fever, cough, etc but swine flu, shortness of breath, shortness of breath will start from the first week itself.”

With inputs from PTI.

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