The swine flu scare is spreading rapidly across India. According to reports, more than 180 cases were reported in Maharashtra alone in August 2022. 10 times more cases of swine flu in the same month of 2021. This is reason enough to know the symptoms and prevention methods of swine flu.

Dr. Rajesh Chawla, Senior Consultant Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, talking about swine flu with Health Shots shared all the information related to it.

What is swine flu?

It is a respiratory disease caused by a virus that infects the respiratory system of pigs. It is contagious like the seasonal flu. Caused by the H1N1 virus, your face is the main route for the swine flu virus to spread to humans. When an infected person sneezes or coughs, the virus potentially enters one of the mucosal surfaces. It can also spread when a person touches something infected with the virus and later touches their nose, mouth or eyes.

With swine flu cases on the rise, doctors have confirmed that flu is airborne, making its transmission easier and more likely.

symptoms of swine flu

Symptoms are similar to common flu symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Many people with swine flu also experience diarrhea and vomiting, but these symptoms can be caused by many other conditions.

Doctors and experts have mentioned that the number of swine flu cases usually increases during monsoon.

Despite the trend of swine flu cases increasing, most cases are not particularly serious and do not require hospitalization. Mild symptoms of sore throat and cough are seen in this condition. Only senior citizens with multiple pre-existing conditions need to be admitted to an ICU or hospital.

What can be measures to prevent swine flu

People should practice basic hygiene, such as covering the nose when sneezing, using a handkerchief or tissue when coughing, and avoiding touching the eyes, nose or mouth to avoid catching the flu.

What to do when you get the flu

The treatment of swine flu should not be delayed, as it can lead to complications and the risk of death. Senior citizens should also be more careful with conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and frailty or pregnancy. In the case of swine flu, the patient should be given an antiviral drug.

Its treatment depends on the severity of the flu. If symptoms are not severe, drinking fluids, taking pain relievers for fever and headache can help fight the flu.

However, if the patient is suffering from chronic symptoms, he should see a doctor immediately and start taking the necessary medication to alleviate the symptoms.

take care like this

• Drinking fluids such as water, juices and warm soups will help prevent dehydration.
• Patients suffering from swine flu should get enough rest and sleep to strengthen their immune system to fight the infection.
• Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) after consulting a doctor can help find relief.