Swine flu pips seasonal flu as city hosps grapple with rush of patients
Times of India | 23 July 2024
Kolkata: Twin outbreaks of swine flu (H1N1) and seasonal flu (H3N2) has left several hospitals grappling with these patients over the last fortnight, with the number of swine flu cases overtaking those with common flu at some facilities which is unusual, say doctors. At some hospitals, more than half of those diagnosed with influenza have tested positive for swine flu even as many have not been tested yet.A significant section of the H1N1 patients have a severe disease and are now admitted in hospitals.
Seasonal influenza or H3N2 come a close second in at least five private facilities across the city. Since they have similar and overlapping symptoms, doctors and hospitals are struggling to identify patients and have been recommending a Flu-PCR test to all patients with persistent high fever, severe body ache, fatigue, nausea and breathlessness. Those with breathing distress are being tested for H1N1 since it is a prominent symptom of swine flu.
At Peerless Hospital, out of 55 samples processed for Flu-PCR between July 1 and 16, 32 or 58% have tested positive for Influenza A virus. As many as 18 or 56% of them were swine flu patients, 14 or 44% had seasonal influenza (H3N2). The hospital has eight swine flu patients though most have mild symptoms.
“The number of swine flu patients has been rising steadily and has overtaken that of seasonal flu. H1N1 has been the dominant strain so far,” said Bhaskar Narayan Chaudhuri, chief microbiologist at Peerless.
Manipal Hospitals, too, have seen a surge in swine flu cases taking them ahead of seasonal flu across its four units. “Even though we have not tested all, a majority seems to have swine flu symptoms than H3N2. Some cases have been severe and required admission. We treated them with Tamiflu which is the principal swine flu drug, though the majority has so far been managed with conservative treatment at home. Senior citizens and those with multiple comorbidities are at a greater risk,” said Manipal infectious diseases physician Sayan Chakrabarty.
He said since the cost of testing for influenza is high, few get tested. “So, instead of testing separately for H1N1, we consider an influenza A test range as standard. Those with fever and other flu symptoms should wear mask and isolate themselves to prevent transmission. Both seasonal influenza and swine flu are common, though, at this time of the year due to fluctuations in temperature and humidity,” he added.
BP Poddar Hospital has got 85 patients with fever, body ache and respiratory distress in a week, including 23 influenza patients admitted. “A significant number could be swine flu patients. Viral influenza patients are being treated symptomatically to pre vent complications,” said Souvik Goswami, consultant physician at BP Poddar. Charnock Hospital has been getting 5-7 influenza patients daily.