Swine flu cases surge to 1,777 in Delhi: What doctors are seeing

Dr S Chatterjee, internal medicine specialist at Apollo Hospital, told The Indian Express that the reason behind the surge would be clear only after a genetic study of the virus. “Maybe the virus has mutated, or it’s happening because people are coming into contact with each other more,” he said.

According to Dr Rakesh Gupta, internal medicine specialist at Apollo Hospital, swine flu has become rampant and is suspected in almost every patient walking into his OPD this season.

“Everyone coming to my cabin is suspected to have swine flu,” he said. “Out of 20 patients I see every day, 15 test positive. It’s very common,” he told The Indian Express.

Among those who walked into the OPD on the hospital’s second floor was a 32-year-old businessman from Gujarat on a work trip to Delhi. A heaviness had settled into his body over the past couple of days, and his cough and fever had worsened rapidly, leaving him unable to ignore it any longer.

He spoke through a blue disposable mask: “I am going back to Surat tomorrow. I could have gone to a doctor there, but even getting up in the morning was becoming difficult for me.”

He paused as a coughing fit took hold of him. “My wife also urged me to visit a doctor. I came here directly from my hotel.”

Who is at risk?

Dr Gupta said people with co-morbidities are more compromised. Those with diabetes, heart disease, or weakened immunity from other conditions face a higher risk of severe illness.

At Max Hospital, Saket, Dr Rommel Tickoo, internal medicine specialist, told The Indian Express that there has been a surge.

“We are seeing a lot of swine flu cases. The elderly people and those with co-morbidities have complications and develop pneumonia, bronchitis. But few have needed ICU admission.”

How is it diagnosed and treated

Diagnosis, Dr Gupta explained, relies on a nasal or throat swab tested through RT-PCR — considered the gold standard for confirming influenza — though rapid antigen tests are also used for quicker, if less definitive, results.

Treatment options remain limited to a single antiviral, Oseltamivir, which works best when started early in the course of the illness.

Doctors advise vaccination

On prevention, he pointed to the seasonal influenza vaccine, a quadrivalent shot that protects against four circulating flu strains and is recommended annually since the virus mutates and immunity wanes over time.

“People can get an annual shot of the vaccine — it’s advisable especially for the elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses,” he said. “The immunity kicks in two to three weeks after the shot. And even if you’ve had the infection from a different strain before, that exposure can offer the body some cross-protection.”

Giving a note of reassurance, he said, “This is a season of viral infections, but there’s no need to panic.”

Dr Tickoo’s advice is: don’t take antibiotics. “Within the first 48 hours, start with an antiviral. Just have paracetamol and see a doctor at the earliest, if you are developing symptoms.”

“Take a flu vaccine shot once a year,” he added. “The best time to take it is October.”

What is swine flu?

The H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, is a type of influenza virus that causes a viral infection of the nose, throat and lungs.

Influenza viruses are classified into four types – A, B, C and D. Among these, Influenza A is the most common type that spreads from pigs to people. Common symptoms include fever, cough, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, sweating and chills.