DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2018.v06i06.009

Pages: 2354-2360

Since the pandemic of 2009, the H1N1 virus has broken out in different parts of India causing 6916 deaths from 2009 to 2017 in India. Swine influenza spreads from person to person, either by inhaling the virus or by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus, then touching the mouth or nose. It produces symptoms similar to other flu symptoms. Treatment is largely supportive and symptomatic. Management largely includes the potential use of antiviral agents like oseltamivir or zanamivir. WHO also recommends vaccination of the high-risk group with seasonal influenza vaccine. Since swine flu can directly be transmitted from one person to another through air droplets, people who fail to follow proper hygiene, especially in crowded places and slum areas are at a high risk of contracting the virus. Proper preventive and control measures thus must be ensured. To avoid resistance and complications we should judiciously use antiviral agents as we have limited treatment options. There should be compaign for health education and awareness among citizens by proper Information Education and Communication (IEC) mechanism.