New Delhi, Aug. 25 -- New Delhi; H1N1 is a curable but highly contagious respiratory infection, doctors say, urging people to take the seasonal flu vaccine as a preventive measure.
Doctors have also noted that the number of patients this year is significantly higher than last year. Dr Vikas Maurya, Senior Director and HOD, Respiratory Medicine and Respiratory Critical Care at Fortis Hospital, said flu infections have become common again after Covid-19, with the number of cases this year higher than in the last few years.
He advised people, particularly those at a higher risk of lung related complications, to take the seasonal flu vaccine every year. According to him, the vaccine is ideally taken between April and June, though it can also be taken between August and October before the winter season.
With dengue cases also being reported during the season, Dr Maurya said the two infections can initially be confusing as fever and body ache are common symptoms in both. However, H1N1, being a respiratory virus, is also associated with sore throat, throat irritation and cough.
He added that platelet levels generally remain normal in H1N1, unlike in dengue. Moderate H1N1 cases can recover within three to five days, he said. However, patients who develop pneumonia along with H1N1 and have severe lung involvement may take longer to recover. In cases where the lung infection becomes severe, hospital admission may be required.
Dr Maurya warned that H1N1 spreads rapidly and can affect multiple members of a family. Elderly people, pregnant women and those with immunity related problems are more vulnerable to severe complications, including pneumonia involving both lungs and respiratory failure, which may require ventilator support.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.