In the wake of the panic created by the outbreak of swine flu in the country the campus saw an awareness session on Friday. “Everyone who coughs and sneezes are not necessarily infected with this virus. The H1N1 is primarily diagnosed through lab tests by taking a simple throat swab of the posterior pharyngeal part. The major symptoms include body ache, extreme fatigue, joint pain, nausea and loose tools, sore throat and tiredness,” said Dr Sahana senior President, Clinical care, Apollo Hospital. The talk was organised by the Natural Science Association (NSA).
She went on to say that patients were categorised into A, B and C. “Patients who fall in the category ‘A’ are generally children between the age group of 5-7 yrs, who suffer from respiratory infections. People above 65 years of age, having a history of diabetes, tuberculosis, HIV infection (immuno-compromised or immuno-suppressed), cancer and pregnant women are highly susceptible to this notorious virus. People arriving at the city’s airport, who are suspected of having symptoms, are also included under this category. However, Doctors, lab technicians, nurses, ward boys and other Para Medical professionals who establish a direct contact with affected patients, if suspected, are put into the ‘B’ category. And people who are quite skeptical about their biological systems and want to be diagnosed are enveloped under the third category, ‘C’,” Dr Sahana said.
Extensive preventive measures were advocated during the session. “Hand kerchiefs do not serve the purpose in this situation. It is advisable to carry tissues at all times. The used hankies are not to be pocketed. But make sure the tissue is disposed off in trash cans especially dedicated for this use and emptied at regular intervals, handled with supervisory professional care. Bio-medical waste disposal bags called, ‘The Red bags’ are provided to specially dispose hankies infected with bodily fluid and secretions and other infectious droplets. Utmost importance has to be given for washing of hands frequently without any compromise. Please stay away for a radius of one meter away from the periphery of the infected patients,” she advised.
Fairila Khumlo, Territory Manager, Johnson & Johnson Medical lab, who was also present at the event explained the significance of personal hygiene by demonstrating the use of alcoholic gel, an anti-septic, which can be used to wash hands thoroughly without a single drop of water. “The entire process just takes 15 seconds. The bottle is quite portable and can be carried by students anywhere, anytime. It is a very effective way to combat this menace,” he said.
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