DOC TALK
Hype or hazard?
DR. R. NARASIMHAN
|
Want to know more about the swine flu. Here are answers to a few frequently asked questions.
|
Photo: AP
Not for everyone: Only those with the disease should wear masks.
After Chikungunya, no other disease evoked so much interest as swine flu. This is because it can spread easily among humans. The medical community is worried because the virus is a hybrid of both pig and avian viruses with a human component. As a res
ult, immunity is less in humans and the disease can spread fast. But should every one run for a mask, ask for preventive drugs and preventive checks?
What is swine flu?
It is a flu-like syndrome characterised by fever, sneezing, cough, body aches; in some cases vomiting and diarrhoea. Sometimes there can be pneumonia and respiratory failure, but this is very rare.
I am an asthmatic. Do I need to take any extra precautions as I am on steroid inhalers as maintenance therapy?
There is no need for any extra precautions. Bronchial asthma does not mean increased susceptibility
Do all people infected with H1N1 develop disease?
No. According to the WHO, 30 per cent of the global population can be infected with the virus by the time this pandemic ends. But I must add here that not all infected develop the disease. The majority are asymptomatic or develop simple cough and cold.
What is a pandemic?
A pandemic spreads across continents. It occurs when a virus starts infecting people who have not been exposed to it in the past. This swine flu virus is a hybrid of human, avian and swine components and there is no innate immunity to this. So it spreads very fast. But, fortunately, it is not a very aggressive virus and infection does not mean death.
Why do people die of this disease? Why is there such panic?
Serious problems can occur when swine flu occurs in a high risk group: individuals with diabetes, chronic renal failure, individuals who have undergone transplants and individuals on immunosuppressant …
Unfortunately the spotlight is on such cases and not on those who have been infected but have not developed the disease. Therefore, the panic; not because H1N1 causes serious problems in all infected individuals.
What is the percentage of people who need admission?
According to the WHO, only 30 per cent of the people will be infected and of this only about 10 per cent need to be hospitalised. Serious problems like death, respiratory and kidney failures occur only in less than 1% of individuals with serious co-existing problems like diabetes, immunosuppression or undiagnosed underlying illness.
Is it necessary to wear masks?
Masks are not necessary for everyone. There are two kinds of masks: the N95 mask and the surgical mask. The first is a costly one but can be used only for 24 hours. A surgical mask does not give any protection. Only those who have the disease should use a mask. It is enough to use a handkerchief to cover when you cough or sneeze.
What is it that we should know?
Swine flu spreads by direct contact with respiratory secretions of a person with the disease. Droplets can also contaminate surfaces such as door knobs, glasses and kitchen tops. But these germs do not survive beyond a few hours.
Are there drugs for this disease?
Yes, but consult your physician or chest physician or paediatrician for treatment schedules.
In short, Swine flu is like any other flu; the only difference is that it can spread very fast due to its hybrid nature. Normal individuals have sufficient defence mechanisms to fight it without recourse to masks or preventive treatments. Only the high risk group needs to be very careful. Preventive vaccines, when they are available, should be given to people below poverty line who are at greater risk due to malnutrition.
The writer is the Chairman, Respiratory Research Foundation of India
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Magazine
