‘Swine flu virus will bother humans for another 3 years’

“In the past,most of the pandemics have lasted for three years. Once 60 per cent of the population between 10 and 44 years of age develop immunity to H1N1,there will be no host for the virus,which will be forced to move out of the human population,” said Dhole.

According to him,after a period of three months,the virus can undergo changes combining with human gene or other influenza virus and the effect of such change cannot be predicted.

“Silent carriers of H1N1 virus,common in our state,are more dangerous as its early containment is not possible. The samples that tested positive over the last two weeks in Lucknow hardly had any symptoms of flu,” added Dhole.

Dr Shally Awasthi,pediatrician at CSMMU,told the doctors about the selection of patients to be tested. “Swine flu test should not be done every time when a patient sneezes. Some patients need to be kept under observation only for a few days,” said Awasthi.

The workshop was arranged to share information about swine flu with 300 doctors and pathologists from six medical universities.

Minister of Medical Education Lalji Verma and Medical and Health minister A K Mishra inaugurated the workshop and laid stress on the role of government,media as well as doctors in combating swine flu.

As for the 12 people who tested positive on Thursday,one is a 12-year-old from Nirala Nagar. While one case each came from LDA colony,Hind Nagar,Ashiana Colony and Indira Nagar,the rest are from Gomti Nagar.

H1N1 Don’t panic,RAISE ALERT
47 confirmed with H1N1
flu till Thursday (Aug 20)
SYMPTOMS
Similar to those of flu: Feverish illness,sore throat,headache,tiredness,chills,fatigue and muscle aches

WHAT TO DO
* Isolate patients in well ventilated room for 7 days

* In small living areas or in case of sharing bed,patient’s head should be in direction of the legs of others

* Patient should wear a mask at all times — in case masks are not readily available,mouth and nose of patient should be covered with a cloth/tissue

* Patient must avoid smoking

* Wash hands regularly

* No self-medication: if condition worsens,contact hospital

* Household items to be disinfected with sodium hypochlorite solution (household bleach)

* Utensils used by patient should not be used without washing

WHERE TO GO
Collection centres:* Balrampur Hospital,Golaganj,Lucknow

Contact No: 0522-2624040

Testing centres: * Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science,Raebareli Road,

Lucknow: 226014

Contact No: 0522-2668700,2668800, 2668900