Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, August 21 2009:
In the interest of the general public, Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Manipur has issued notification of Revised Guidelines on Influenza A (H1N1).
The Revised Guidelines as on August 14 for the prevention and for screening, testing and isolation of Influenza-A H1N1 virus stated that initially all the individuals seeking consultations for flu like symptoms should be screened at healthcare facilities both Government and private or examined by a doctor.
The disease has further been classified into three categories.
Patients with mild fever along with cough, sore throat with or without body ache, headache, diarrhoea and vomiting has been categorized under the category-A.The notification also stated that the patients falling under Category-A do not require Oseltamivir and should be treated for the symptoms such as mild fever along with cough, sore throat with or without body ache, headache, diarrhoea and vomiting.
Such patients do not require any testing for H1N1 and therefore must confine themselves at home and avoid mixing up with public and high risk members in the family.
According to the notification of DIPR, patients falling under Category-A should also be monitored for their progress and reassessed at 24 to 48 hours by the doctor.
Patients falling under Category-B would have, in addition to all the signs and symptoms mentioned in Category-A, high grade fever and severe sore throat and may require home isolation and Oseltamivir.
Children less than five years old having the symptoms of Category-B, pregnant women, persons aged 65 years or above, patients suffering from lung diseases, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, blood disorders, diabetes, neurological disorders, cancer, HIV/AIDS and patients on long term cortisone therapy having the symptoms of Category-B shall be treated with Oseltamivir, said the guidelines to the general public.
The patients falling under categoryB should also confine themselves and avoid mixing with public and high risk members in the family.
No tests are required for Category-B.In addition to the symptoms of Category-A and Category-B if the patients suffer from either breathlessness, chest pain, drowsiness, fall in blood pressure, sputum mixed with blood, bluish discolouration of nails, irritability among small children, refusal to accept feed and worsening of underlying chronic conditions fall under the Category-C.The patients falling under Category-C require testing and immediate hospitalization and treatment.