Of the 2,392 influenza A cases reported till August 20, 1,777 were H1N1, and the total number of influenza A and B cases has reached 2,602. A seasonal spike in H1N1, also known as swine flu, infections across several states is becoming a concern.
Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has issued a public health advisory urging people not to panic, to avoid self-medication, and also warned against the unnecessary use of antibiotics. To understand what precautionary measures you can take and the treatment plan in case of infection, HT Lifestyle reached out to Dr M Ravi Kumar, senior consultant, internal medicine, Sakra World Hospital, Bengaluru, who cautioned that apart from Delhi , Bengaluru is also currently facing a sharp spike in seasonal influenza cases. He also highlighted the initial symptoms of H1N1 to watch for, cautioning that they can appear abruptly. Affected individuals experience: The physician also underlined that warning signs require immediate emergency medical attention. For instance, if an individual experiences the following symptoms, they must visit a hospital: Dr Kumar stressed that the precautions against the H1N1 strain centre on breaking the chain of transmission. He advises: “Annual quadrivalent influenza vaccination remains the most effective defence against severe illness. The annual influenza vaccine protects against circulating strains. Vaccine is recommended for high-risk groups, including children under five years, the elderly, and individuals with underlying chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes,” he opined. Lastly, he added that timely vaccination reduces severe influenza complications, lowering the risks of oxygen requirement, ICU admission, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
and it’s a routine seasonal pattern Although the state health department has said there is no unusual outbreak. The majority of these infections are driven by the influenza A H1N1 swine flu strain, compounded by monsoon weather patterns and school reopenings, according to Dr Kumar.
