Mumbai: Don’t worry, breathe easy

Panic has gripped the city after the death of 14-year-old Pune girl Reeda Shaikh of swine flu. DNA asks experts and Mumbaikars if the situation is that grim.

Expert view

Most of the cases are  mild and self-curable
Swine flu has become a pandemic across the world. But in India we don't need to create much panic about it, as most of the cases are mild and they are self-curable. However, very few cases have been detected with some complication.

As this is a contagious respiratory disease, it is difficult to protect ourselves. But it is advisable to follow general guidelines, practices and good hygiene; like covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, washing your hands frequently with soap and water and cleaning the surfaces which are regularly touched. All this can help in reducing the transmission of any kind of viruses.

At present, we don't have any vaccine which is available; it will still take a month or two probably. Hence, it's better to go to Kasturba Hospital if anyone has symptoms of swine flu. Its symptoms are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal influenza infection and include fever, fatigue, and lack of appetite, coughing and sore throat. Presently, the government has not allowed any private hospital for the treatment of swine flu.
—Tanu Singhal, consultant pediatrician, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

We need more than one centre in Mumbai
It  is strange that all  reports of this deadly swine flu that hit Mumbai revolve around just one testing centre — Kasturba Gandhi Hospital at Chinchpokli. Is anyone really serious enough to take some steps to curb this menace? It doesn’t seem like as then we would have seen many more testing centres set up. General practitioners are also not fully aware of the symptoms and the treatment of this swine flu. We should immediately open up centres for screening and testing at Nair Hospital, KEM Hospital, Haffkine Institute, Sion Hospital etc. If all patients are asked to proceed only to Kasturba Hospital, then there is an added risk of that potential patient spreading the deadly flu to many present over there. Moreover, there will be an added burden on just one doctor at Kasturba Hospital. Currently, there is total lack of sensitivity towards  patients with high fever. They are made to stand for hours in the queue where there is neither a ceiling fan nor some proper seating arrangement. The government has ignored the basic requirements of having adequate testing centres with adequate testing kits.
—Deepak Agharkar, via mail

The govt is equipped to tackle the flu
The spread of swine flu is not so severe in Mumbai. Fortunately, there no deaths have been recorded in the city so far. So I don't think there is any need to be scared of. Moreover government is claiming to be  prepared to handle the H1N1 virus which is the main cause of swine flu. They have fully equipped Kasturba Hospital with all required medicine and diagnosis that is required for the treatment. But I am still not sure about the exact symptoms of swine flu. However, I know that it is curable if diagnosed well before time.
—Pranesh Acharya, BPO executive

Media has spread enough awareness
I  don’t have any fear about the swine flu. This is because it is not yet pandemic in India. The government is on high alert and has made all kind of arrangements for dealing with this flu. I don't think we should create any unnecessary panic. It is curable if detected in time. I am aware that there is treatment available in certain hospitals for this influenza in Mumbai. Through the media, I got to learn about all the symptoms of swine flu which is very similar to fever and cold. I don’t think there is any need to panic.
—Navjot Luthra, sales manager 

Need for proper checking at the airports
Primarily the airport authorities and the government are to be blamed. During the outbreak of SARS in Asia, the US and European authorities had asked all the flight carriers to stop their voyage to Asian countries in order to prevent spreading of SARS in their countries. Why weren't such measures taken in India? At least strict checking at the airports was the need of the hour. When swine flu cases were diagnosed in India, the government authorities could have adopted adequate measures.
 —Chirag Mavani, student

We have become very cautious
After the death of the 14-year-old-girl in Pune, I am a little paranoid regarding the swine flu epidemic in India. I am looking out for helpline numbers that can guide me regarding the precautions one must take for swine flu. Even the consumption of food from outside has reduced in my home. We have started going for regular check up to the doctor. The scary thing is that the symptoms of swine flu is that of a regular cough and cold. What has happened in Pune is very unfortunate but I have not lost faith in doctors. I will still trust the doctors and will act according to their prescription. People are slowly getting aware of the dangers of swine flu.
 —Meghna Gupta, senior executive