This week, You! talks to Dr Shahana Urooj Kazmi, a leading microbiologist based in Karachi, about swine flu.
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This week, You! talks to Dr Shahana Urooj Kazmi, a leading microbiologist based in Karachi, about swine flu.
Influenza, or flu, can make you feel very ill and uncomfortable. Flu is caused by a virus that can enter through the eyes, nose or mouth and travel all the way down your lungs. Once it enters the body, the virus multiplies and the first symptoms of the flu start to appear.
The reason why you feel so lethargic with flu is because your body is trying to fight the virus, hence, it is taking up a lot of your energy. This causes aching muscles, headache, fever and weakness.
There are three types of viruses known as A, B and C. There are no medicines that can cure it but it can help relieve some symptoms. While there isn’t anything serious that should worry you about them, there are certain viruses that can be life-threatening such as H1N1 that causes swine flu.
The human respiratory infection caused by a particular influenza virus H1N1 strain, popularly known as swine flu, was first recognised in spring 2009. A few months after the first swine flu cases were reported, a rate of confirmed H1N1-related illness was increasing in much of the world. As a result, the World Health Organization declared the infection a global pandemic.
Swine flu spreads through droplets of infected individuals when they sneeze or cough without covering the mouth or nose. Anyone nearby can get infected when they inhale those droplets. Unlike the common flu or Rhinovirus, swine flu is a deadly disease, which has so far killed around 18 people in South Punjab.
Around 200 cases have been reported and deaths toll has increased to 22 as reported in a section of the press in southern Punjab. Even though, there aren’t any deaths reported in Karachi, the city is still being affected by the disease.
Since 2009, there have been regular cases of H1N1 influenza (swine flu) in Pakistan every winter; and this year the number has increased. You! talks to Dr Shahana Urooj Kazmi, a leading microbiologist and the rector of Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education.
According to Dr Kazmi, the disease is not lethal since the mortality rate from the disease is 0.001. However, it causes a lot of pain to the patient which is why the best remedy against the disease is to opt for preventive measures. The sickness spreads quickly and could cost us dearly in terms of money and time along with the physical pain. A healthy person may endure the disease but H1N1 can cause severe illness to those with weak immunity.
Causes
Influenza viruses infect the cells lining your nose, throat and lungs. The virus enters your body when you inhale contaminated droplets or transfer the live virus from a contaminated surface to your eyes, nose or mouth.
Signs and symptoms:
While the signs and symptoms may be similar to other flu strains, they shouldn’t be taken lightly. The H1N1 flu symptoms develop about one to three days after you’re exposed to the virus. It includes: fever (but not always), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, red watery eyes, body aches, headache, fatigue, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting.
When to see a doctor?
Call your doctor if you have flu symptoms, especially if you’re pregnant or you have a chronic disease, such as asthma, emphysema, diabetes or a heart condition. You have a higher risk of complications from the flu in this situation.
Complications
The complications from the virus include worsening of chronic conditions, such as heart disease and asthma. Neurological signs and symptoms may range from confusion to seizures. It can also cause pneumonia or respiratory failure.
Prevention
Dr Kazmi recommends the season flu vaccination for everyone older than 6 months of age, as it can help prevent swine flu as well. The flu shot also protects against two to three other influenza viruses that are expected to be the most common during the flu season.
The following measures are an added prevention for swine flu and to limit its spread:
Stay home if you’re sick: If you have swine flu, you may give it to others. Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever has gone.
Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently: Use soap and water, or if they’re unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Contain your coughs and sneezes: Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. To avoid contaminating your hands, cough or sneeze into a tissue or the inner crook of your elbow.
Avoid contact: Stay away from crowds, if possible, otherwise wear masks. If you’re at high risk of complications from the flu (see ‘When to see a doctor’), avoid barns.
Reduce exposure within your household: If a member of your household has swine flu, designate only one household member to be responsible for the ill person’s personal care.
