Don’t panic it is seasonal flu not swine flu: DAK

Srinagar: Doctors Association Kashmir(DAK) on Saturday said that with the opening of schools in the valley, a considerable rise in the  flu like illness (FLI)  has been observed, particularly ,among the school children.However,the flu should not be mistaken for swine flu ,having similar symptoms that of  Swine flu,said DAK in a communiqué issued today.

DAK has appealed people not to panic and pay heed to any rumours as this is only a seasonal flu and not swine flu.
The seasonal flu, is a viral infection of the respiratory tract caused by an influenza B virus. Symptoms can include fever, headache, runny nose, sore throat, or cough and chest congestion.Dr Suhail Naik president DAK and a senior pediatrician said that  every year there is a period of time where there are outbreaks of the flu, what we call as seasonal flu. Flu season generally occurs during the fall winter and early spring. Dr Naik added current peak in seasonal flu is due to the opening of schools after long haul winter break and this viral infection easily spreads from child to child . This seasonal flu is due to influenza B and is not swine flu or life threatening.
People are advised to give rest, lot of fluids, soups to kids and need based paracetamol.
Furthermore ,there are some  patients who are at higher risk of developing  complications due to the flu. They are young children less than one year, pregnant women, older adults age more than 65, and people with long-term illnesses like diabetes , chronic kidney failure, cancers or with impaired immune systems that make it hard to fight infection. In such cases ,early use of  antiviral drug like Osteltamavir should be judiciously considered.
Most people can treat flu symptoms at home. Home treatment includes resting, drinking plenty of water, soups and need based paracetamol.