Hyderabad, October 05: The health-conscious morning walkers of Public Gardens had an educative programme lined up on Sunday morning. The Public Gardens Walkers Association organised a lecture on swine flu to mark its 169th lecture in its monthly series of health lectures. PV Gopal Krishna, a pediatric professor from Lotus Hospital delivered the lecture.
Explaining the formation of the H1N1 virus, Krishna said that the virus had undergone mutation in the intestine of pigs. H1N1 virus is a mixer of the avian strain and human strain.
He also said that the virus causes droplets or fomites kind of infection where it spreads through nasal discharge, sputum and direct contact. He also explained that the incubation period for the virus is seven days and its remains infective if left on a steel, floor or a plastic surface for 24 hours, on tissues and handkerchief for 15 minutes and on one’s hands for about five minutes.
“It is very important to maintain personal hygiene and respiratory etiquettes to prevent spread of the disease,” added Krishna.
“Antiviral drugs like Zanamivir and Oseltamivir can only be effective if the treatment is started within 48 hours of the onset of illness,” he said.
Krishna added that personal protection, cancellation of mass gathering and voluntary quarantine of all contacts can help in the prevention of the disease.
–Agencies–