Team Herald
PANJIM: Directorate of Health Services (DHS) has issued an advisory with information about the precautions to be taken to prevent the spreading of Swine Flu (H1N1).
In a press statement issued, the department has advised the general public to take necessary precautions regarding the ‘Do’s and Don’ts’, to prevent contracting or spreading Influenza in the community.
The ‘Do’s’ include instructions such as covering one’s mouth and nose with a handkerchief or tissue while coughing or sneezing, washing one’s hands frequently with soap and water before and after touching one’s nose, eyes or mouth. It also advised people to stay more than an arm’s length (2 metres) from persons affected with flu while it advised affected persons to avoid visiting crowded places.
Similarly one has to take measures like not spitting in public and avoiding consuming any medicine without consulting one’s doctor.
Clinical symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat, body ache, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea. The people affected are advised not to take stress, stay physically active by regularly exercising and drinking plenty of water (at least 2-3 litres for adults) and eating nutritious food including vegetables and fruits.
The health department has said that people who are more prone to flue are children below the age of 5 years, adults above 65 years, those suffering from respiratory problem, heart, kidney and liver diseases and pregnant women.
The department has said the treatment for Influenza is available at all centres under DHS and Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC). Testing for Influenza A (H1N1) is done only for suspected and admitted cases and that the facility for collecting samples is available at the sub-district hospitals, district hospitals and GMC.
