In order to prevent and contain outbreak of Influenza A InN1 virus for screening, testing and isolation following guidelines (issued by the Govt. of India) are to be followed.
At first, all individuals seeking consultation for flu like symptoms should he screened at designated healthcare facilities or examined by a doctor and these will be categorized as under:-
Category-A:
Patients with mild fever plus cough/sore throat with or without body ache, headache, diarrhoea and vomiting will be categorized as Category-A. They do not require Oseltamivir and should be treated for the symptoms mentioned above. The patients should be monitored for their progress and reassessed at 24 to 48 hours by the doctor.
No testing of the patient for H1N1 required.
Patients should confine themselves home and avoid mixing up with public and high risk members in the family.
Category-B:
In addition to all the signs and symptoms mentioned under Category-A, if the patient has high grade fever and severe sore throat, he/she may require home isolation and Oseltamivir.
In addition to all the signs and symptoms mentioned under Category-A, individuals having one or more of the following high risk conditions shall be treated with Oseltamivir.
Children less that 5 years old.
Pregnant women.
Persons aged 65years or older.
Patients with lung diseases, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, blood disorders, diabetes, neurological disorders, cancer and HIV/AIDS.
Patients on long term cortisone therapy.
No tests for H1N1 are required for Category -B (i) and (ii).
All patients of Category-B (i) and (ii) should confine themselves at home and avoid mixing with public and high risk members in the family.
Category-C:
In addition to the above signs and symptoms of Category-A and B, if the patient has one or more of the following:
Breathlessness, chest pain, drowsiness, fall in blood pressure, sputum, mixed with blood, bluish discoloration of nails.
Irritability among small children, refusal to accept feed.
Worsening of underlying chronic conditions.
All these patients mentioned above in Category -C requires testing, immediate hospitalization and treatment including Oseltamivir.
Dr. Vikas Gupta
Registrar (Anaesth)
GMC&H Jammu.
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