Summary:
"There were no swine flu cases reported last year. However, this year, the number has reached eight," chief medical officer (CMO) Anurag Bhargava told TOI.According to officials of the health department, the swine flu cases are emerging "out of season" this year. "While earlier, the cases would generally emerge after November, this year, they are being reported in summer as well. "If viral fever persists for over three days, then investigation of swine flu should also be done as early detection can help the treatment," Dr Rajiv Prasad, assistant CMO, said.Wearing a three-layer mask is the best prevention from the disease, according to doctors. Although, it is a curable disease, the elderly and pregnant women should exercise caution and get themselves examined as early as possible if they develop any of the symptoms," Dr Vartika, from the NCDC, said.The most common symptoms of the disease are temperature, nausea, sore throat, diarrhoea, body ache and cough.According to doctors, if swine flu gets detected in the initial stages, it can go away easily with a five-day dose of Tamiflu, the most common medicine for the disease.However, if detected in the later stage, the symptoms may include nosebleeds, Vartika said.While officials said that there is no need to panic as treatment for the disease is available, they have advised residents not to ignore the symptoms of common flu..