Are we responsible enough?

[lonewanderer]

Presently the outbreak of Swine flu has become the talk of the town, literally. Daily newspapers carry the news of many detected cases which are spreading like wild fire, especially in schools. Since it is a contagious disease, the health department keeps on pleading to the public to take care and prevent it from spreading further.

The Swine flu is not spread through any foodstuff, as one would commonly presume.
People feel that swine flu can spread by consuming infected pigs, etc. But according to medical reports, these assumptions are baseless. It spreads when we come in contact with people who have already contracted the disease. The farmers are more susceptible to contract this flu as they may unknowingly come in contact with an infected pig on the farm.

Though pigs are not generally affected by this flu, even though it is known as “swine flu”, humans get easily affected and since they are not immune to this disease, it can prove fatal if not detected at an early stage. Severe cold and coughing, high fever which may be non-seasonal, persistent vomiting, muscle & body ache are some of the early symptoms of the disease. If we feel subjected to any of these symptoms, it is advisable to see the doctor for further early investigations.
The later and more serious stages of this disease show grayish-bluish coloration of skin, vomiting, body ache, diarrhea, chest & abdominal pain, breathlessness and again – severe cold & cough accompanied by high fever.

If detected with H1N1 virus (swine flu carrier), people should take care to limit the disease to themselves and get well soon with proper medical aid. They should isolate themselves at least for 7-8 days (in case of children, 10-12 days). This helps in recuperating from the infection and prevents it from spreading through general contact with others.

As precaution, besides keeping away from an infected person till safe, one should follow certain level of personal hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and a disinfectant before eating anything, especially when you come home from outside. Even though you may feel that you have common cold & cough, please make it a point to cover your face while coughing or sneezing. This will prevent the viral infection from spreading to people around you.

Schools, colleges, offices and other public places are prone to spread of the disease, as an unsuspected infected person may come in contact with you and pass on the flu. If at all any child is detected with H1N1 virus, the parents should be responsible enough to keep the child at home till it recovers and not force them to go to school, endangering many other lives. Many parents feel (especially during examination time), that if they keep their ward at home, his /her attendance and academic performance will be affected. But they should realize that schools are sensible enough to understand the gravity of the situation, and not take undue course of action against the child. Examination results are not that important than one’s life.

So it is an earnest request to all that PLEASE help the society by being a responsible and diligent person. Do not hesitate to go in for a detailed investigation if you have the slightest suspicion of any of the symptoms. If detected “positive” and a carrier of the flu, kindly enter a quarantine zone. Refrain yourself from public activities, hence keeping the virus at bay. You can resume interaction with others, only when declared “fit and safe” by the doctor.