BENGALURU: Swine flu cases have been on the rise in the state compared to last year when 110 cases were reported with no deaths. This year, in less than two months, 344 cases have been reported in Karnataka with three deaths, according to latest health department report.
Among districts, BBMP reported the maximum with 153 cases and two deaths, Bengaluru Urban with 55 cases, Udupi with 30, Mysuru with 27 and Shivamoga with 23 cases and one death.
Dr Sheela Chakravarthy, Director, Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, said, “We get 56-6 H1N1 cases per day. Out of 25 beds in ICU, 15 are occupied by H1N1 patients currently. The disease is quite rampant. However, Tamiflu should be given to only those patients who have tested positive for H1N1 or relatives of H1N1 patients. Our doctors and nurses have been vaccinated for H1N1, Influenza A and B.
One can differentiate between common flu and H1N1 patients. If the patient has fever and pneumonia, mostly he turns positive for H1N1.”
“This is a droplet infection spreading through patients who sneeze or touch furniture with contaminated hands. That’s why patients have to be isolated. It is also important for the public to be vaccinated. People cannot get Tamiflu with regular prescriptions.
The reason for prescribing the tablets has to be mentioned in the prescription. Three copies are made, one each for the hospital, patient and government. Two tablets a day are given. If the patient is infected, it is 150 mg, if the person has a history of close contact with H1N1 patients we give 75 mg,” she added.
Dr Vivek Anand Padegal, director of Pulmonology from the same hospital, said, “The anti-influenza medication is available only in some pharmacies. If someone is at low risk and has symptoms, we give antiviral for 5 days and treat empirically. Test result takes around 1-3 days, depending on the lab.”
Apollo Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, has had 40 cases this year. Rajeeva Mogar, a doctor in the hospital said, “High risk individuals are diabetics, asthma patients, smokers, pregnant women, elderly and bronchitis patients.”