The Bangalore hospital authorised to treat swine flu is working efficiently, although it isn't strictly going by central government guidelines
The Bangalore hospital authorised to treat swine flu is working efficiently, although it isn't strictly going by central government guidelines
Government doctors gave me 'Tamiflu when I had no symptoms of swine flu: high fever and a sore throat.
But that isn't really a mistake and I wouldn't be worse off taking the pills, a private practitioner assured me.
Bangalore reported its 15th casualty from the deadly flu yesterday. MiD DAY decided to find out how the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Chest Diseases was managing the testing.
Dr Oliver Rodrigues, general physician, said, "There is nothing wrong in taking the tablet. Doctors normally err on the side of caution, and that's why they have prescribed those pills."
He said swine flu was completely curable with a dose of 'Tamilfu' provided complications have not developed.
At the hospital
Our photographer Satish Badiger and I reached the hospital, near Nimhans in south Bangalore, at 11.40 am. It is set in green environs, and was almost empty, with just a few people walking in and out.
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The sign: The H1N1 unit at Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Chest Diseasesu00a0 |
Have you ever visited this institution before?
Some were wearing masks while others had covered their faces with handkerchiefs.
A queue stood in front of a placard that said "H1N1 REGISTRATION."
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Alternative therapy? Homeopathic doctors are seated outside the swine flu testing unit, offering medication to those interested |
The registration slip had simple questions: name, date of birth, postal address, sex, father's name, monthly income, profession, and finally, "Have you ever visited this institution before?"
Once we filled out the form, we had to stand for about 10 minutes in the queue. The counter is manned by home guards. A registration fee of Rs 20 is charged.
The next step was to meet the duty doctors, which did not take too long either.
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Multi-purpose dupatta: So what if you don't have a mask, a nice cotton duppatta can always come in handy, or so the woman clearly thinks |
Considerate rows
The hospital has separate doctors for adults and children, which is very thoughtful. The admission form has a list of symptoms.
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Swine flu is sure scary: Officials wearing masks at the hospital |
The doctor quizzes you based on these points ticking a yes or no depending on the answers you give him. The doctors are very polite and take time to listen to your problems. I told the doctor about my fever and upper respiratory infection last week (true), and he wanted to know if any symptoms persisted.
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We're protected: Like patient, like doctor pics/Satish Badiger |
I told him I had chest pain, besides an occasional cough or sneeze (true).
He didn't do a swab test but gave me Fluvir 75 mg tablets. Nor did he use a thermometer to check my temperature.
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I can't take this anymore: A mother looks worried at the delay |
The latest WHO advice says, "Worldwide, most patients infected with the pandemic virus continue to experience typical influenza symptoms and fully recover within a week, even without any form of medical treatment. Healthy patients with uncomplicated illness need not be treated with antivirals."
Further, the central government's new guidelines for the first time advise against otherwise healthy individuals being given antiviral treatment.u00a0
Dr T S Cheluvaraju, head of the monitoring cell for swine flu in Karnataka, said only patients in Category B should be given Tamiflu.
So, to sum up: the hospital is working efficiently, no complaints. But it gave me antivirals when the guidelines suggest I could do without them.
Government categories
The central government suggests the following patient categories:
Category A: Patients with mild fever plus cough/sore throat with or without bodyache, headache, diarrhoea and vomiting. They do not require any anti-flu medication, but should be treated for their symptoms. No testing for H1N1 is required. Patients should be monitored by a doctor, stay home, and avoid mixing with crowds and high-risk members in the family.
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Category B: (i) In addition to all the signs and symptoms of Category A, if the patient has high grade fever and severe sore throat, he/she may require home isolation and Oseltamivir; (ii) In addition to all the signs and symptoms of Category A, individuals having one or more of the following high risk conditions shall be treated with Oseltamivir: children under five, pregnant women, those above 65 years, those with lung diseases, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, blood disorders, diabetes, neurological disorders, cancer and HIV/AIDS; patients on long term cortisone therapy.
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No H1N1 tests are required for Category-B (i) and (ii). Such patients should confine themselves at home and avoid mixing with public and high-risk members in the family.
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Category C: In addition to the symptoms of Categories A and B, if the patient has one or more of the following: Breathlessness, chest pain, drowsiness, fall in blood pressure, sputum mixed with blood, bluish discolouration of nails; irritability among small children, refusal to accept feed; worsening of underlying chronic conditions. Such patients require H1N1 testing, immediate hospitalisation and treatment.
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