Self screening
Individuals are asked to perform H1N1 Flu illness self screening following exposure to a confirmed or suspected case.
To conduct self screening, please perform the following steps:
Step One: Check whether you have symptoms of illness including fever and cough, sore throat or body aches.
Step Two: Check your temperature using a standard, good quality thermometer following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step Three: If you have symptoms as described in Step One or you have a temperature greater than 100.4o F or 38o C, you must not go into the workplace.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Guide Lines To Test People On Swine Flu
Government of India Revised Guidelines for testing people with flu-like symptoms, reporting to hospitals
Due to the onset of the influenza season in the country and to make the testing facility for H1N1 more accessible, Government of India has revised the existing guidelines.
Under the new guidelines, any person with flu like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, cold, running nose etc. should go to a designated government facility for giving his/her sample for H1N1 testing. After clinical assessment, the designated medical officer will decide on the need for further clinical tests. Except for cases that are severe, the patient will be allowed to go home (this was not allowed under the existing guidelines).
Samples will be collected from suspected cases and sent to the notified laboratory for testing. If tested positive for H1N1 and in case the symptoms are mild, the patient will be notified and given the option of admission into the hospital or isolation and treatment at his/her own home.
In case the patient opts for home isolation and treatment, he/she would be provided with detailed guidelines/safety measures to be strictly adhered to by the entire household of the patient. He/ she is required to provide full contact details of all household members and social contacts so that they may be provided with preventive treatment.
The decision of the doctor from the notified hospital regarding admitting the patient will be final. In case the test results are negative, the patient will be informed, accordingly.
Due to the onset of the influenza season in the country and to make the testing facility for H1N1 more accessible, Government of India has revised the existing guidelines.
Under the new guidelines, any person with flu like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, cold, running nose etc. should go to a designated government facility for giving his/her sample for H1N1 testing. After clinical assessment, the designated medical officer will decide on the need for further clinical tests. Except for cases that are severe, the patient will be allowed to go home (this was not allowed under the existing guidelines).
Samples will be collected from suspected cases and sent to the notified laboratory for testing. If tested positive for H1N1 and in case the symptoms are mild, the patient will be notified and given the option of admission into the hospital or isolation and treatment at his/her own home.
In case the patient opts for home isolation and treatment, he/she would be provided with detailed guidelines/safety measures to be strictly adhered to by the entire household of the patient. He/ she is required to provide full contact details of all household members and social contacts so that they may be provided with preventive treatment.
The decision of the doctor from the notified hospital regarding admitting the patient will be final. In case the test results are negative, the patient will be informed, accordingly.
How to prevent the spread of H1N1 Flu
How to prevent the spread of H1N1 Flu?
Wash Your Hands:
Before eating or preparing food
After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
After using the washroom
Hand washing technique:
Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Rinse well, with hands held downward. Dry with a paper towel, then use the towel to turn off the faucet
If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand cleanser. Alcohol-based hand cleansers significantly reduce the number of germs
Spread of germs:
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs often spread when a person touches something contaminated and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Attempt to keep at least three (3) feet or one (1) meter away from ill individuals
When sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick
Practice respiratory etiquette. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, use tissues and dispose them properly. Wash your hands afterwards
Wash Your Hands:
Before eating or preparing food
After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
After using the washroom
Hand washing technique:
Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Rinse well, with hands held downward. Dry with a paper towel, then use the towel to turn off the faucet
If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand cleanser. Alcohol-based hand cleansers significantly reduce the number of germs
Spread of germs:
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs often spread when a person touches something contaminated and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Attempt to keep at least three (3) feet or one (1) meter away from ill individuals
When sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick
Practice respiratory etiquette. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, use tissues and dispose them properly. Wash your hands afterwards
Swine Flu Preventive Steps At Work Place
Workplace instructions if you become ill or exposed
If you have been diagnosed with H1N1 Flu or have symptoms of this illness including fever and cough, sore throat or body aches you are requested to refrain from coming into any IBM work environment (including customers).
Individuals providing direct care for someone with H1N1 Flu or symptoms of the illness are requested to refrain from coming into any IBM work environment (including customers).
This restriction applies for seven (7) calendar days from the last date of exposure to the ill person. During this time period, the exposed
individual should conduct self screening tests daily for identifying symptoms of illness.
Self screening
Individuals are asked to perform H1N1 Flu illness self screening, following exposure to a confirmed or suspected case. The following steps are to be conducted for self screening:
Step One: Check whether you have symptoms of illness including fever, cough, sore throat or body ache.
Step Two: Check your temperature using a standard, good quality thermometer following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step Three: If you have symptoms as described in Step One or have a temperature greater than 100.4 deg F or 38 deg C, you are asked to refrain from coming into any IBM work environment. You must:
Notify your manager that you are unable to report to work
Contact designated government facilities for further health instructions
Refer to the guidance in Workplace Instructions in the link below
If you have been diagnosed with H1N1 Flu or have symptoms of this illness including fever and cough, sore throat or body aches you are requested to refrain from coming into any IBM work environment (including customers).
Individuals providing direct care for someone with H1N1 Flu or symptoms of the illness are requested to refrain from coming into any IBM work environment (including customers).
This restriction applies for seven (7) calendar days from the last date of exposure to the ill person. During this time period, the exposed
individual should conduct self screening tests daily for identifying symptoms of illness.
Self screening
Individuals are asked to perform H1N1 Flu illness self screening, following exposure to a confirmed or suspected case. The following steps are to be conducted for self screening:
Step One: Check whether you have symptoms of illness including fever, cough, sore throat or body ache.
Step Two: Check your temperature using a standard, good quality thermometer following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step Three: If you have symptoms as described in Step One or have a temperature greater than 100.4 deg F or 38 deg C, you are asked to refrain from coming into any IBM work environment. You must:
Notify your manager that you are unable to report to work
Contact designated government facilities for further health instructions
Refer to the guidance in Workplace Instructions in the link below
How To Prevent Swine Flu While Travelling
Travel advisory from WHO
Is it safe to travel?
Yes. WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A(H1N1) virus. Today, global travel is commonplace and large numbers of people move around the world for business and leisure. Limiting travel and imposing travel restrictions would have very little effect on stopping the virus from spreading, but would be highly disruptive to the global community.
Influenza A(H1N1) has already been confirmed in many parts of the world. The global response now focuses on minimizing the impact of the virus through the rapid identification of cases, and providing patients with appropriate medical care, rather than on stopping its spread internationally.
Although identifying signs and symptoms of influenza in travellers can help track the path of the outbreak, it will not reduce the spread of influenza, as the virus can be transmitted from person to person before the onset of symptoms. Scientific research based on mathematical modelling shows that restricting travel would be of limited or no benefit in stopping the spread of disease. Historical records of previous influenza pandemics, as well as experience with SARS, validate this.
Does WHO recommend screenings at country entry and exit points to detect if ill people are travelling?
No. We do not believe entry and exit screenings would work to reduce the spread of this disease. However country-level measures to respond to a public health risk are the decision of national authorities, under the International Health Regulations 2005
Is it safe to travel?
Yes. WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A(H1N1) virus. Today, global travel is commonplace and large numbers of people move around the world for business and leisure. Limiting travel and imposing travel restrictions would have very little effect on stopping the virus from spreading, but would be highly disruptive to the global community.
Influenza A(H1N1) has already been confirmed in many parts of the world. The global response now focuses on minimizing the impact of the virus through the rapid identification of cases, and providing patients with appropriate medical care, rather than on stopping its spread internationally.
Although identifying signs and symptoms of influenza in travellers can help track the path of the outbreak, it will not reduce the spread of influenza, as the virus can be transmitted from person to person before the onset of symptoms. Scientific research based on mathematical modelling shows that restricting travel would be of limited or no benefit in stopping the spread of disease. Historical records of previous influenza pandemics, as well as experience with SARS, validate this.
Does WHO recommend screenings at country entry and exit points to detect if ill people are travelling?
No. We do not believe entry and exit screenings would work to reduce the spread of this disease. However country-level measures to respond to a public health risk are the decision of national authorities, under the International Health Regulations 2005
Countries that adopt measures that significantly interfere with international traffic (e.g. delaying an airplane passenger for more than 24 hours, or refusing country entry or departure to a traveller) must provide WHO with the public health reasoning and evidence for their actions. WHO will follow up with all of its Member countries on such matters. Travellers should always be treated with dignity and respect for their human rights.
How can I protect myself from influenza A(H1N1) when I am travelling?
People who are ill should delay travel plans. Returning travellers who become ill should contact their health care provider. Travellers can protect themselves and others by following simple prevention practices that apply while travelling and in daily life.
Swine Flu Preventive Medicines And Steps
Steps to Lessen the Spread of Flu in the Home
When providing care to a household member who is sick with influenza, the most important ways to protect yourself and others who are not sick are to:
· keep the sick person away from other people as much as possible (see “placement of the sick person”)
· remind the sick person to cover their coughs, and clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often, especially after coughing and/or sneezing.
· have everyone in the household clean their hands often, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub
Placement of the sick person:
· Keep the sick person in a room separate from the common areas of the house. (For example, a spare bedroom with its own bathroom, if that’s possible.) Keep the sickroom door closed.
· Unless necessary for medical care, persons with the flu should not leave the home when they have a fever or during the time that they are most likely to spread their infection to others
· If persons with the flu need to leave the home (for example, for medical care), they should cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and wear a loose-fitting (surgical) mask if available.
· Have the sick person wear a surgical mask if they need to be in a common area of the house near other persons.
· If possible, sick persons should use a separate bathroom. This bathroom should be cleaned daily with household disinfectant
Protect other persons in the home:
· The sick person should not have visitors other than caregivers. A phone call is safer than a visit.
· If possible, have only one adult in the home take care of the sick person.
· Avoid having pregnant women care for the sick person. (Pregnant women are at increased risk of influenza-related complications and immunity can be suppressed during pregnancy).
· All persons in the household should clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub frequently, including after every contact with the sick person or the person’s room or bathroom.
· Use paper towels for drying hands after hand washing or dedicate cloth towels to each person in the household. For example, have different colored towels for each person.
· If possible, consideration should be given to maintaining good ventilation in shared household areas (e.g., keeping windows open in restrooms, kitchen, bathroom, etc.).
If you are the caregiver:
· Avoid being face-to-face with the sick person. · When holding small children who are sick, place their chin on your shoulder so that they will not cough in your face. · Clean your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub after you touch the sick person or handle used tissues, or laundry. · Talk to your Doctor about taking antiviral medication to prevent the caregiver from getting the flu. · Monitor yourself and household members for flu symptoms and the local H1N1 Command Center if the symptoms occur.
Household Cleaning, Laundry, and Waste Disposal:
· Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by the sick person in the trash. Wash your hands after touching used tissues and similar waste. · Keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first. · Wash linens (such as bed sheets and towels) by using household laundry soap and tumble dry on a hot setting. Avoid “hugging” laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating yourself.
Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub right after handling dirty laundry. · Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.
When providing care to a household member who is sick with influenza, the most important ways to protect yourself and others who are not sick are to:
· keep the sick person away from other people as much as possible (see “placement of the sick person”)
· remind the sick person to cover their coughs, and clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often, especially after coughing and/or sneezing.
· have everyone in the household clean their hands often, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub
Placement of the sick person:
· Keep the sick person in a room separate from the common areas of the house. (For example, a spare bedroom with its own bathroom, if that’s possible.) Keep the sickroom door closed.
· Unless necessary for medical care, persons with the flu should not leave the home when they have a fever or during the time that they are most likely to spread their infection to others
· If persons with the flu need to leave the home (for example, for medical care), they should cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and wear a loose-fitting (surgical) mask if available.
· Have the sick person wear a surgical mask if they need to be in a common area of the house near other persons.
· If possible, sick persons should use a separate bathroom. This bathroom should be cleaned daily with household disinfectant
Protect other persons in the home:
· The sick person should not have visitors other than caregivers. A phone call is safer than a visit.
· If possible, have only one adult in the home take care of the sick person.
· Avoid having pregnant women care for the sick person. (Pregnant women are at increased risk of influenza-related complications and immunity can be suppressed during pregnancy).
· All persons in the household should clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub frequently, including after every contact with the sick person or the person’s room or bathroom.
· Use paper towels for drying hands after hand washing or dedicate cloth towels to each person in the household. For example, have different colored towels for each person.
· If possible, consideration should be given to maintaining good ventilation in shared household areas (e.g., keeping windows open in restrooms, kitchen, bathroom, etc.).
If you are the caregiver:
· Avoid being face-to-face with the sick person. · When holding small children who are sick, place their chin on your shoulder so that they will not cough in your face. · Clean your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub after you touch the sick person or handle used tissues, or laundry. · Talk to your Doctor about taking antiviral medication to prevent the caregiver from getting the flu. · Monitor yourself and household members for flu symptoms and the local H1N1 Command Center if the symptoms occur.
Household Cleaning, Laundry, and Waste Disposal:
· Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by the sick person in the trash. Wash your hands after touching used tissues and similar waste. · Keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first. · Wash linens (such as bed sheets and towels) by using household laundry soap and tumble dry on a hot setting. Avoid “hugging” laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating yourself.
Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub right after handling dirty laundry. · Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.
Symptoms of Swine Flu In Children and Adults
Symptoms In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
· Fast breathing or trouble breathing
· Bluish or gray skin color
· Not drinking enough fluids
· Severe or persistent vomiting
· Not waking up or not interacting
· Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
· Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
· Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
· Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
· Sudden dizziness
· Confusion
· Severe or persistent vomiting
· Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
· Fast breathing or trouble breathing
· Bluish or gray skin color
· Not drinking enough fluids
· Severe or persistent vomiting
· Not waking up or not interacting
· Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
· Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
· Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
· Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
· Sudden dizziness
· Confusion
· Severe or persistent vomiting
· Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Important Information for Swine Flu Treatment in Hyderabad
The Union Government has identified the Govt. General and Chest Diseases Hospital, Erragadda as the facility in Hyderabad for testing, isolation and critical care of suspected/confirmed swine flu patients. The Hyderabad Airport Limited has set up a screening facility at the Hyderabad International Airport for all the inbound passengers flying into the country to prevent the spread of H1N1. Doctors from the Hospital are round the clock screening the passengers at the Airport.
Govt. General and Chest Diseases Hospital, Erragadda , Hyderabad
Hospital Helpline Number - 040-23814939
Govt. General and Chest Diseases Hospital, Erragadda , Hyderabad
Hospital Helpline Number - 040-23814939
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Swine Flu To Aishwarya Rai
Swine Flu Victim Aishwarya Rai, Swine Flu Symptoms
Bollywood Heroine Aishwarya Rai Bachchan seems to be the latest victim of Swine Flu. Amitabh Bachchan yesterday wrote about Aishwarya’s illness in his Personal Blog.
“Aishwarya has taken ill and is down with chest infection and flu like symptoms. Had a high fever yesterday but is settling down today,”
Aishwarya was shooting for the film “Raavan“.
We wish Aishwarya Rai a Speedy recovery.
Swine Flu Testing Centres In Hyderabad and Secunderabad
Swine Flu Testing / Screening Labs In Hyderabad and Secunderabad
Osmaniya General Hospital, Gandhi Hospital King Koti, Vanasthali Puram, Kondapur, RTC, Railway and ESI Hospitals OP section will work specially for the Swine Flu patients. Hospitals OP will work from 9am to 12pm specially for Swine Flu Testing.
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