NEW DELHI: The ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW) on Saturday has urged people to recognise the H1N1 symptoms early and seek medical advice if they persist.In a post on X on Saturday, the ministry said swine flu can show up through symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, headache, runny nose, body aches and fatigue. It advised people not to ignore persistent symptoms and to seek medical advice at the nearest healthcare centre.The health ministry’s advisory also lists lethargy and loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, joint and muscle pain, diarrhoea and headache among the common symptoms associated with swine flu.Explaining the symptoms and transmission of H1N1, Dr (Major) Rajesh Bhardwaj, founder, ENT and Sleep Expert, MedFirst ENT Centre, said, “H1N1 infection, or swine flu, can be somewhat more dangerous and serious, which is why we are more concerned about it.”He said the infection spreads through respiratory droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and can also spread through close contact with an infected person.“The symptoms include high fever, body aches, weakness, lethargy, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, and sometimes loss of the sense of smell. There can also be throat irritation and cough,” Bhardwaj said.
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How can H1N1 transmission be reduced?
Staying home while sick reduces exposure to others. Covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands regularly and improving ventilation can also limit spread.A mask can be particularly useful when someone has respiratory symptoms and must enter a crowded indoor setting.The Delhi government, in a post on X, shared precautionary steps. “Vigilance and timely treatment are extremely crucial for protection against H1N1,” it wrote.It advised people to cover their nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing, wash their hands regularly, consult a doctor if symptoms appear and avoid taking medicines without medical advice.On Friday, Union health minister JP Nadda reviewed Delhi’s preparedness for influenza and vector-borne diseases as Delhi has reported 2,392 influenza A cases this year, including 1,777 H1N1 infections.