Swine flu effect: Avoid handshake, just say Namaste

​Hyderabad: Don't shake hands with anyone and instead prefer to say hello or namaskar for the next couple of weeks is the advice from medical fraternity in view of jump in swine flu cases this January, a first in the last four years. The cold weather conditions have aided in spread of H1N1 flu virus and hence the rise in number of cases, said, Dr K Shankar, superintendent at state-run Fever Hospital in Hyderabad.He explained that handshaking was not advisable for various reasons.

"Handshaking can transmit viruses like the cold or flu. Someone who has a cold could wipe their dripping nose, leaving mucus teeming with rhinovirus on that person's hand. When anyone shake hands with them, there are good chances of catching that infection and even swine flu," Dr Shankar pointed out.He said that swine flu cases were witnessed mostly between September till December in last four years, but this time the virus impact carried even in January.

In first three weeks of January 2019 itself, nearly 1,101 samples were sent for swine-flu examination as patients were found to have any of the related symptoms like fever, running nose, sore throat and body aches. Of them 201 tested positive for the seasonal influenza. He said there was no reason to worry as both private and government hospitals have special wards to treat swine flu-affected patients, who can recover in five days or so under proper medication.

Dr Shankar advised pregnant women, children, elders from venturing into public places unless needed due to chances of getting affected with flu virus is high.

"Persons with low immunity are at high risk of getting infected with fever, cold, cough or flu in public places that have a large crowd. It is better to stay at home for the next couple of weeks. Swine flu impact will not stretch in February and March as temperatures are found to increase," he said.

Influenza cases are being reported from both private and government hospitals, but the number of samples being sent for testing are mostly coming from private hospitals. In the State-owned Gandhi hospital, five patients out of which three are females have tested positive while another two are suspected to have it, Dr P Shravan Kumar, Gandhi Superintendent said.