Kolkata: The city has seen a sudden, sharp spurt in swine flu or H1N1 cases leading several hospitals to step up tests even as one has introduced an isolation ward to prevent transmission. A respiratory disease caused by an influenza virus that infects the respiratory tract of pigs and result in a barking cough, decreased appetite, nasal secretions and listless behaviour, it is highly contagious.
At least seven swine flu cases, mostly children, have been detected at Peerless Hospital in the last one week. Manipal Hospitals have detected more than six cases in the last one week. Symptoms of the virus are fever, body ache, weakness and upper respiratory tract infection. The hospital has started an influenza ward at its Dhakuria unit to isolate all influenza patients, including swine flu patients now admitted.
According to molecular pathologist Abhirup Sarkar, lab director of Suraksha Diagnostic chain, number of influenza cases has spiked with a sharp uptick in the number of samples testing positive in the past few weeks. “The most prominent one in our lab is H1N1 followed by H3N2 and a few cases of rhinovirus and enterovirus. Of all respiratory samples we are testing, 70% are positive to influenza. Of these, 70% is H1N1 and around 30% is H3N2. Last year H2N3 was predominant,” said Sarkar.
“Swine flu or H1N1 is extremely contagious and could turn out to be severe in children and the elderly who have lower resistance. So far, the cases we have been mild to moderate and have been effectively treated. We are using anti-viral drugs that help to contain the symptoms very quickly. This is the beginning of the swine flu season and everyone has got to be cautious,” said Manipal Hospital infectious diseases physician Sayan Chakrabarty.
Once H1N1 strikes, there is a 30%-40% chance of other family members getting affected, say doctors. Transmission happens in two ways — through droplets of the patient through cough and sneeze (air-borne) and by contact with the patients’ clothes.
“It is difficult to prevent transmission once you are coming in close contact with a patient either at home or at work. So, if a family member is affected hospitalization is recommended for it ensures isolation. More importantly, it is difficult to predict if the H1N1-triggered illness is going to be serious. Often, it starts with a minor breathing difficulty and severe cough but turns fatal,” said RN Tagore Hospital intensivist Sauren Panja. He added that he has treated several influenza patients including those with symptoms of H1N1 over the last one week.
In a crowded city like Kolkata, number of cases could multiply in a matter of days, warned experts. Chakrabarty said families of those who tested positive at Manipal have been asked to quarantine themselves.
Number of patients with upper respiratory tract infection is rising steadily, said Fortis Hospital internal medicine consultant Joydeep Ghosh. “Some might well have swine flu. Since the virus is in the air, a faster spread is likely over the next fortnight. Kin of an affected should rely more on precautions. Once a member is affected, the rest should start taking Tamiflu, especially if they have flu-like symptoms. The elderly and those suffering from blood sugar, cardiac ailments, renal diseases should have the medicine since they have lower immunity,” said Ghosh.