Swine Flu Myths Busted
According to a Hindustan Times report, around 600 people have died of swine flu in the first three months of 2015. And while an epidemic like situation looms large, misleading myths are compounding fears and causing greater problems. Health insurance in India has suddenly become a valuable commodity, with more and more people considering a purchase, triggered by the fear of possible hospitalization. However, even before you can consider health insurance policies, it is important to debunk a few myths concerning the disease.
Swine Flu: Myths Debunked
• Swine Flu can be contracted by eating pork: Swine flu has nothing do with eating pork can and it can in no way be the source of infection. The disease is spread through infected droplets expelled in the air by sneezing or wheezing. If you come in direct contact with these droplets, you are likely to get infected. Affected people are contagious from the first to the seventh day after showing symptoms and they need to be quarantined.
• There is no cure for Swine Flu: This is possibly the biggest myth that needs to be countered. Oseltamivir is a common drug that is sold under the brand name of Tamiflu and needs to be administered on time for effective treatment. In case symptoms persist or the patient experiences difficulty in breathing, hospitalization is warranted immediately. Having health insurance in India would be of great help in getting treated at a well equipped private hospital with an isolated ward for Swine Flu patients.
• The Swine Flu Virus has Mutated: This is not true, although some dailies carried news concerning the same. India’s premier labs like National Institute of Virology in Pune and National Centre for Disease Control in Delhi have carried out tests to show that there has been no mutation. The virus that is wreaking havoc this year is identical to the one that affected almost a thousand people last year.
• Swine Flu Attacks once in a Lifetime: This is not true. The virus can infect and re-infect you any number of times if you are exposed to infection. This is why workers who are in constant touch with patients are considered for vaccination. The vaccine remains active for one year. However, you must ask your doctor before getting vaccinated.
• I must panic if I get Swine Flu: There is absolutely no reason to panic. All you need to do is know the symptoms and seek prompt treatment. And if you have health insurance in India, the cost of hospitalization should not worry you either. Panicking will hardly help the situation.
It is also important to undertake preventive measures like using alcohol based sanitizers and keeping away from public places.
According to a Hindustan Times report, around 600 people have died of swine flu in the first three months of 2015. And while an epidemic like situation looms large, misleading myths are compounding fears and causing greater problems. Health insurance in India has suddenly become a valuable commodity, with more and more people considering a purchase, triggered by the fear of possible hospitalization. However, even before you can consider health insurance policies, it is important to debunk a few myths concerning the disease.
Swine Flu: Myths Debunked
• Swine Flu can be contracted by eating pork: Swine flu has nothing do with eating pork can and it can in no way be the source of infection. The disease is spread through infected droplets expelled in the air by sneezing or wheezing. If you come in direct contact with these droplets, you are likely to get infected. Affected people are contagious from the first to the seventh day after showing symptoms and they need to be quarantined.
• There is no cure for Swine Flu: This is possibly the biggest myth that needs to be countered. Oseltamivir is a common drug that is sold under the brand name of Tamiflu and needs to be administered on time for effective treatment. In case symptoms persist or the patient experiences difficulty in breathing, hospitalization is warranted immediately. Having health insurance in India would be of great help in getting treated at a well equipped private hospital with an isolated ward for Swine Flu patients.
• The Swine Flu Virus has Mutated: This is not true, although some dailies carried news concerning the same. India’s premier labs like National Institute of Virology in Pune and National Centre for Disease Control in Delhi have carried out tests to show that there has been no mutation. The virus that is wreaking havoc this year is identical to the one that affected almost a thousand people last year.
• Swine Flu Attacks once in a Lifetime: This is not true. The virus can infect and re-infect you any number of times if you are exposed to infection. This is why workers who are in constant touch with patients are considered for vaccination. The vaccine remains active for one year. However, you must ask your doctor before getting vaccinated.
• I must panic if I get Swine Flu: There is absolutely no reason to panic. All you need to do is know the symptoms and seek prompt treatment. And if you have health insurance in India, the cost of hospitalization should not worry you either. Panicking will hardly help the situation.
It is also important to undertake preventive measures like using alcohol based sanitizers and keeping away from public places.
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