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Private hospitals referring suspected swine flu patients to civil hospital

BATHINDA: The number of suspected swine flu cases has been rising in the district from the past few weeks.

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Sameer Singh
Tribune News Service
Bathinda, January 30

The number of suspected swine flu cases has been rising in the district from the past few weeks. A number of private hospitals in the city have also been referring suspected swine flu cases of category A (mild) and category B (moderate) to the local civil hospital for treatment.

As per the doctors in the paediatrics unit of Women and Children Hospital, there has been a significant increase in the number of suspected (with mild/ moderate symptoms) swine flu cases from the past five-six days.

The doctors at the paediatrics unit added that on an average, they come across 15-20 suspected swine flu patients in the outpatient department (OPD) on daily basis. The doctors, however, added that a number of patients with viral infection have also been visiting the unit for treatment.

Sources said apart from the suspected swine flu patients directly visiting the civil hospital, a large number of patients are being referred here by private hospitals.

Dr Manu Gupta, district nodal officer, swine flu, said “From the past one week, we have examined as many as 15-20 suspected swine flu patients on daily basis. On Monday, we examined as many as 25 suspected swine flu patients and administered Tamiflu tablets to them. Until last week, we came across two-three suspected swine flu cases on daily basis.”

Meanwhile, the medical staff at the emergency unit, where Tamiflu tablets are given to the patients and staff of private hospitals, confirmed that more than 22,00 tamiflu tablets have been administered to suspected swine flu patients this season.

Dr Ravikant Gupta, a paediatrician at WCH, said “A number of suspected swine flu cases have been referred by some private hospitals to the government hospital for treatment. But there is no need to panic as every patient is not suffering from swine flu and doctors in private hospitals need to differentiate between viral infection and H1N1 virus. 

“If the child has high-grade fever persisting for more than five days, coupled with bluish discolouration of nails, drowsiness, breathlessness, irritability, low BP level and refusal to 

accept feed/ food, then there are stern possibilities that the patient has contracted H1N1 virus and immediate medical intervention is required,” Dr Gupta added.

Precautions against Swine Flu

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth too often as this can lead to contracting the disease
  • Wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub (hand sanitiser)
  • Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze
  • Use disposable tissues instead of a handkerchief if you have a cold and throw the tissue in dustbin after use
  • Viruses also spread by droplet infection, which might have deposited on common objects like phones, laptops, common desk and chairs. So, avoid touching too many objects and wash your hands if you do 
  • Avoid close contact with people who have flu.
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