Swine flu cases on rise, but Delhi residents don't need to panic, say experts

Even though the number of swine flu cases have increased substantially in Delhi, there is no need to panic, say, experts, for a majority of the patients who do not have any other underlying health problems get cured by medicines received from the outpatient department of hospitals. As per recent reports, swine flu cases in Delhi rose up to 517 from 351 in the month of July this year, thanks to an increase in heat and humidity in the city. Hindustan Times reported that the capital city saw 166 fresh cases of Swine Flu after July 30. The report also stated that four persons have lost their lives from in and around Delhi. [caption id=“attachment_3911865” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Reuters[/caption] But experts say that only those patients with some underlying health issues require admission in a hospital. “Patients who suffer from diabetes, heart problems, bronchitis, lung issues and the pregnant women, children and the elderly are the high-risk groups in this disease," Rommel Tikoo, renowned physician presently working as a consultant with Max Super Speciality Hospital in Saket, told Firstpost. He also said that though there are patients who are admitted to intensive care units, they form a very small number as compared to the ones who get cured by outdoor patient medication. “Young men and women who have no other health issues do not even need to be prescribed the ‘Tamiflu’ medicine,” he added. Tikoo added that these patients only need isolation. “Tamiflu (one of the most commonly used medicines to treat swine flu) is prescribed only to patients with high fever or symptoms of severity,” he informed. While speaking on the rapid spread of the disease, Tikoo said that some youngsters who travel by the Delhi Metro or similar kind of means of public transport are seen to have contracted the virus. Arun Chouhan, a health official with the South Delhi Municipal Corporation told Firstpost that swine flu spreads mainly through cough and sneeze. What this means is that the various modes of public transport such as the Delhi Metro often become the place where people contract the disease. In 2017, India has seen an abrupt rise in the number of swine flu infections and deaths. As per media reports the country recorded 600 deaths due to swine flu against 12,500 cases of infection this year alone. This number is more than double than what was reported last year in which the disease claimed 265 lives. While describing the symptoms of the disease, Chouhan says that swine flu causes high fever associated with cough, nausea and a feeling of chilliness. Dr JC Passey, medical superintendent of Lok Nayak Hospital told Firstpost that the number of swine flu patients in Delhi have increased due to erratic rains as well. “Hot and humid atmosphere is always considered to be convenient for viruses to mutate. In Delhi, swine flu infection has always been a seasonal affair. But this time around due to erratic rains, the virus has spread faster,” he said. Passey also said that rains do not necessarily make Delhi’s weather cold. Rather it increases the moisture content available in the already hot atmosphere. “This weather helps the virus to spread faster,” Passey added.