Kurnool: Swine flu symptoms identified during routine check up at Kurnool general hospital on Thursday caught health officials on the wrong foot. Though the district is prone to the spread of H1N1 virus because of the water bodies and the dried up canals that could catalyse the spread of the virus, medical authorities were totally unprepared having failed to create any awareness among the public on the issue.
On Thursday, two patients were detected with swine flu symptoms and are undergoing treatment in Kurnool general hospital. The doctors have sent the blood samples for testing and also took up precautionary measures at the wards.
Apart from the general hospital, one more case of swine flu was said to have detected at a private hospital in the town.
The medical department and the doctors are advising the people of Kurnool to be aware of the virus. They have also recommended the public to approach doctors and seek their advice and treatment in case of a sudden fever. Doctors said cold wave conditions have created a suitable environment for the H1N1 virus to thrive and to spread.
“During a cold wave, the chances of viral infections including H1N1 virus spreading through droplets are much higher. This is more so in cases where patients either fall in the high risk group (such as pregnant women and elderly people) or are suffering from upper respiratory tract infections, which makes them pre-disposed to catch H1N1 infection," said Dr Rama Prasad.
Private nursing homes are suggesting vaccination for their patients saying that prevention is better than cure. However, they are quick to add that vaccination has only 50 per cent chance of preventing swine flu.
