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Delhi's Swine Flu Cases Reach 1,777 as Doctors Report Surge

Delhi's Swine Flu Cases Reach 1,777 as Doctors Report Surge
Swine flu cases surge to 1,777 in Delhi: What doctors are seeing · indianexpress.com

Swine flu cases are increasing in Delhi.

Health officials counted 1,777 confirmed cases by August 20.

Doctors are seeing sick people of many ages in hospitals.

Most people get better with treatment, but some develop serious breathing problems.

Older people and people with certain health conditions are more likely to become severely ill.

Doctors test for the virus using a nose or throat swab.

An antiviral medicine called oseltamivir works best when taken early.

Doctors also recommend an annual flu vaccine for people at higher risk and say there is no need to panic.

Key facts

Confirmed cases
1,777 cases in Delhi through August 20
Virus
H1N1, commonly known as swine flu
Diagnosis
A nasal or throat swab tested by RT-PCR; rapid antigen tests are also used
Antiviral treatment
Oseltamivir, which works best when started early
Severe complications
Pneumonia, bronchitis and acute respiratory distress syndrome
Higher-risk groups
Elderly people, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses or weakened immunity
Prevention
An annual quadrivalent influenza vaccine; immunity develops in two to three weeks

Quotes

Dr Rommel Tickoo

Internal medicine specialist at Max Hospital, Saket

“We are seeing a lot of swine flu cases. The elderly people and those with co-morbidities have complications and develop pneumonia, bronchitis. But few have needed ICU admission.”
indianexpress.com
“Everyone coming to my cabin is suspected to have swine flu. Out of 20 patients I see every day, 15 test positive. It’s very common.”
indianexpress.com

Sources

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