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Most hospitals in Delhi-NCR are now getting overwhelmed with anxious citizens, concerned about the diagnosis
Every year during weather change, most people fall sick with symptoms like sore throat, colds, cough, prolonged fever, and body aches. However, not many know what exactly the diagnosis is. In the last couple of days, Delhi-NCR has witnessed a steep rise in flu-like cases, which even mimic the symptoms of COVID-19.
According to reports, more than 50 per cent of residents are said to have at least one member in the family having symptoms of the H5N1 or swine flu virus, which includes high fever and sore throat. However, most hospitals are now getting overwhelmed with anxious citizens, concerned about the diagnosis.
How to differentiate between H1N1 and seasonal flu?
Doctors say the virus that causes the seasonal flu, also known as influenza A, changes a little bit each year, but the changes are extremely small, and most people have some resistance to the virus. According to experts, this year, the flu virus that is spreading is new and different enough that many people, especially younger people, do not have much resistance.
This is the reason why so many people—especially children and the elderly—got sick from the H1N1 flu in the spring.
Subtypes of influenza A viruses currently found in people are strains of H1N1 and H3N2. Each year's flu vaccine includes varieties of these strains and influenza B.
Main characteristics of H1N1 flu strain
The main symptoms of the new H1N1 flu strain are as follows:
- Sudden fever
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Runny and stuffed nose
- Headaches
Most people experience a mild illness for several days and then recover.
However, some people experience a severe illness, so caution must be taken. In particular, those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes or asthma, as well as pregnant women, children, and the elderly, are at higher risk for severe illness than other people.
What are influenza transmission routes?
To know how to stop the spread of the flu, one must first understand how the flu is transmitted between people. Influenza is primarily transmitted in two ways:
Droplet Transmission
The flu spreads through the inhalation of droplets that are expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Those within the zone affected by a cough or sneeze are at high risk of infection.
Contact Transmission
Saliva or nasal mucous from infected people spreads from hand to hand or transmits through contact with things like doorknobs and hanging straps on trains.
However, the influenza virus cannot infect people simply through skin contact. The infection takes hold when the person touches their mouth or the mucous membrane of their nose or eyes with their hand.
Ways to protect yourself from any kind of flu
A few ways to prevent getting and spreading the flu include:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough
- If you do not have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your elbow
- Make sure to wash your hands multiple times a day with soap and water, especially if you enter the home from outside
- Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth
- Avoid meeting people who are sick
- Stay home if you are sick
- Do not share personal items such as cups, straws, and utensils
- Wear a mask whenever you go out in public
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