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Ira Shah [MD, DCH (Gold Medalist), FCPS, DNB]
Consultant Pediatrician, Mumbai
Address for Correspondence: 1/B Saguna, 271/B St. Francis Road, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai 400056. Email: info@pediatriconcall.com
With an outbreak of H1N1 influenza virus in parts of the country such as in Pune and areas around it, the guidelines for testing of H1N1 influenza in India has changed.
• A person suspected of influenza A H1N1 should be referred to the recommended government swine flu detection centre.
• The person needs to be kept in an isolation facility in that hospital and if found positive, should be treated accordingly.
Current guidelines
• Any person with flu like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, cold, running nose etc. should go to a recommended Government facility for testing for the H1N1 virus.
• The doctor at the centre would examine the patient and then decide on the need for testing. If sample is collected, it would be sent to the designated laboratory for testing.
• Except for patients with severe symptoms, the patient would be allowed to go home
• If tested as positive for H1N1 and in case the symptoms are mild, the patient would be informed and given the option of admission into the hospital or isolation and treatment at his own home. Other family members and contacts of the patient would be provided with the preventive treatment.
• In case the test is negative, the patient will accordingly be informed.
These guidelines are latest as of August 8, 2009. With time this may change. Readers are requested to keep themselves updated.
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