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.