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However, many people who are concerned about getting infected but cannot afford to stay back at home, are roaming out in masks or hankies, covering their nose and mouth. However, many of them are using some disposable surgical masks which are not effective against the virus. Doctors say that hankies soaked in dettol, are more effective than ordinary face masks.

There are two types of masks which are recommended by the Health Ministry, India for various categories of personnel depending upon the work environment

1. Triple layer surgical mask
2. N 95 Respirator mask

A recent study said that, the N95 masks provide 75% protection against the swineflu virus.

Who are recommended to use Triple layer surgical mask?

1. All medical personnel including nursing, paramedical, mortuary and ambulance staff.
2. All medical personnel including nursing and paramedical staff screening passengers at the Airports/Sea Ports/ International checkpoints.
3. Doctors in screening centres/Private practitioners attending Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) in general practice and other health workers assisting them.
4. Security personnel working in an infected/ potentially infected area.
5. Suspect/ probable/confirmed cases of influenza A H1N1.

Erroneous use of masks or continuous use of a disposable mask for longer than 6 hours or repeated use of same mask may actually increase risk of infection further. Thus, general public who are using these masks shouldn’t use them without medical supervisory.

Courtesy: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India.

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Schedule X applies to narcotics, and is very critical for monitoring supply and sale. Now out of approximately 600,000 chemists, just 300 chemists have a Schedule X licence in the country, which drug makers feel is far too little to be of any help. A total of 480 approved outlets across the country will be allowed to sell the one preparation that fights the virus. The companies that have the permission to manufacture the medicine are: Ranbaxy, Cipla, Metco, Hetero, Strides, and Roche. The government has spent Rs.70 crores in purchasing the medicine whose retail sale until now was banned. The ministry has a stock of 10 million tablets and is planning to stock 20 million more.

Not sure for the retail price of the medicine but a strip containing 10 tablets might cost around Rs 445.

Tamiflu will be sold in 500 outlets all over India. The medicine can be found with 30 retail outlets of Hetero Drugs in twin cities and its 60 retail outlets located in all over Andhra Pradesh.

Please check back for the list of pharmacies in Hyderabad, AP where the medication is available…

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We are presenting a few of them here…

1. Whenever you reach office or home consider washing hands as the first thing to do. This helps you minimize contamination in home or office.
2. Wash hands for a minimum of 45 seconds.
3. Use germicidal hand wash or sanitizers. These are available with any pharmacists nearby.
4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

For more precautions and details click here.

Remember, Spread awareness. Not the disease.

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Swine flu is a contagious flu and spreads faster from person to person. Usually influenza viruses are spread in droplets of cough and sneezes. The incubation period seems to be approximately 12 hours to 24 hours before the symptoms appear.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), swine influenza (flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs first isolated in swine in 1930. The illness is caused by four different type A influenza strains that can cause outbreaks in pigs, though subtypes H1N1 and H3N2 seem to be more common.

Symptoms of Swine Flu:
Fever (100.5 degrees F or higher), Headache, Sore throat, Body Aches, Chills, Cough, Runny Nose, Stomach and Intestinal Discomfort, and Extreme Tiredness.

Precautions to follow:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Immediately dispose off used tissues in a wastebasket.
• If a tissue is not available, sneeze into your upper sleeve (at the crease of your elbow), not in your hands.
• Clean hands thoroughly with soap and water, or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub on a regular basis (especially if touching the mouth and nose, or surfaces that are potentially contaminated)
• Flu germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with the virus and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Hence avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth frequently.
• Reducing person-to-person contact via personal greetings e.g. hand-shaking etc.
• Visiting of or other contact with unwell people should be avoided wherever practicable.
• Minimize hand contact with potentially contaminated surfaces such as handrails, door handles etc.
• If you are unwell, do not travel.

What if you are sick?

• If you are ill with probable/suspected/confirmed SOIV (Swine Origin Influenza Viral Infection – Novel H1N1), stay home until your symptoms are gone. It will speed your recovery and limit the spread of the virus. Resume office only on advice of your physician.
• If you are ill with probable/suspected/confirmed SOIV, rest and drink plenty of fluids.
• Protect your co-workers. In case you have probable/ suspected/ confirmed SOIV, work from home (self quarantine).
• Stay home if you have a family member probable/suspected/confirmed SOIV (voluntary home quarantine).
• If you or your family member is probable/suspected/confirmed SOIV , do get in touch with your contact point at your locations.

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1. Wash your hands frequently
Use the antibacterial soaps to cleanse your hands. Wash them often, at least 15 seconds and rinse with running water.

2. Get enough sleep
Try to get 8 hours of good sleep every night to keep your immune system in top flu-fighting shape.

3. Keep hydrated
Drink 8 to10 glasses of water each day to flush toxins from your system and maintain good moisture and mucous production in your sinuses.

4. Boost your immune system
Keeping your body strong, nourished, and ready to fight infection is important in flu prevention. So stick with whole grains, colorful vegetables, and vitamin-rich fruits.

5. Keep informed
The government is taking necessary steps to prevent the pandemic and periodically release guidelines to keep the pandemic away. Please make sure to keep up to date on the information and act in a calm manner.

6. Avoid alcohol
Apart from being a mood depressant, alcohol is an immune suppressant that can actually decrease your resistance to viral infections like swine flu. So stay away from alcoholic drinks so that your immune system may be strong.

7. Be physically active
Moderate exercise can support the immune system by increasing circulation and oxygenating the body. For example brisk walking for 30-40 minutes 3-4 times a week will significantly perk up your immunity.

8. Keep away from sick people
Flu virus spreads when particles dispersed into the air through a cough or sneeze reach someone else’s nose. So if you have to be around someone who is sick, try to stay a few feet away from them and especially, avoid physical contact.

9. Know when to get help
Consult your doctor if you have a cough and fever and follow their instructions, including taking medicine as prescribed.

10. Avoid crowded areas
Try to avoid unnecessary trips outside. Moreover, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

Courtesy: Yahoo India News

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People need to understand that swine flu could be avoided with simple preventive measures and there is no need to panic at all.

While personal hygiene is the key to control the infection, isolation of patients and avoiding close contact with people having respiratory illness is also important. It is better to avoid crowded places.

There is little to differentiate between common flu and swine flu, so one needs to be vigilant if there are flu-like symptoms.

Experts believe that getting plenty of sleep (at least eight hours a day), drinking plenty of water and managing the stress lessens the chances of swine flu.

Courtesy: Yahoo News

The identified hospitals for treatment of persons suspected with the H1N1 Flu in Hyderabad are:
1. AP Government and Chest Hospital, Erragadda (Phone – 23814421/22)
2. Kondapur Area Hospital, Kondapur
3. Vanastalipuram Area Hospital
4. King Koti General Hospital (Phone – 24756085/24753474)

Other important contacts:
The Outbreak Monitoring Cell, Ministry of Health and Family, Government of India – 011-23921401

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