Editor
Swine flu is also known as the H1N1 virus has established itself as a deadly virus in the recent times. Swine flu is also the popular name for influenza which is caused by a relatively new strain of influenza virus. This is the same virus that was responsible for the flu pandemic in 2009-10. There are a number of symptoms of swine flu which include a sudden fever, tiredness, aching muscles or joint pain, a headache and a runny or blocked nose.
One of the casualties has been reported as a 60-year-old man from Bangewadi village in Latur district. He died at the government Medical College hospital in Latur. The others were a 47-year old man from Satara district and a 42 year old woman from Sangli district who died at a private hospital in Kohlapur. The climatic conditions have provided these viruses with the perfect conditions to grow and multiply. A health official mentioned that since rain has been recorded at many places across Maharashtra, all types of influenza viruses, including H1N1 are spreading very fast. Another favorable thing for the viruses is that many festivals occur in October and September, which results in large gatherings of people. These gathering serve as the perfect grounds for viruses to spread.
In Maharashtra alone, about 2,634 people exhibiting influenza-like illness were screened for swine flu at various places on Saturday. Pune is not doing quite well too, where more than 134 people have already died due to the virus this year. 46 of these casualties were locals while the others were referred from other places. Experts and doctors have time and again stressed the importance of seeking treatment in an early stage of the flu as delayed treatment has been one of the major causes of death in flu patients.
Image Source: HealthLine.com
Editorial Staff
Zainab Asif
