NEW DELHI: With H1N1 cases increasing in Delhi, doctors have urged people to take precautions, stay away from crowded places when symptomatic and remain particularly alert if children or people with underlying health conditions develop flu-like symptoms.Dr Dhiren Gupta, senior paediatrician and co-director, Paediatric Pulmonology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said children who develop a cough or cold should ideally not go to school or mix with groups to help prevent the spread of infection.He said children and people with comorbidities are at greater risk of complications.“Those with comorbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic lung disease, asthma, or neurological issues, are at the highest risk. So, it is our duty to do everything we can to curb the spread within the community.”Gupta said the current virus was causing more distress among children under five, while high fever was particularly troubling those below two years.“About 70% of the cases are H1N1, which we know as Swine Flu. Compared to the initial outbreak in 2009, the virus is causing more distress in children under five, while high fever is troubling those under two… Problems mostly arise in children with underlying health conditions or those under two years of age, specifically those who stop eating or drinking and develop high fevers of 103°F or 104°F. This is an antigenic drift, not a shift like the one in 2009 that terrified many parents,” he said.He said significant body ache accompanied by high fever was another prominent feature of the current influenza strain, ANI reported.“A major feature is significant body ache and high fever (103-104°F); this is a key differentiator when comparing COVID-19 or other viruses with the current influenza strain (predominantly H1N1),” he added.Dr Inder Mohan Chugh, vice chairman and HOD, Pulmonology, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Model Town, New Delhi, said children, senior citizens, pregnant women and people with weakened immunity were at higher risk of complications.He said people with conditions including diabetes, heart, kidney or liver disease, cancer, asthma, COPD and other respiratory illnesses were also more vulnerable to complications such as pneumonia.“Most influenza cases recover within 7-10 days, but high-risk individuals should seek medical attention promptly.”On the use of antibiotics, Chugh said influenza is caused by a virus and should be treated with antivirals rather than antibiotics.“Antibiotics do not treat viral influenza; appropriate antiviral treatment may be advised by a doctor, especially when started early. Annual influenza vaccination, hand hygiene, avoiding crowded places when symptomatic, wearing a mask when necessary and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of infection and its spread.”(With agency inputs)
