August 11, 2009





Thiruvalluvar statue unveiled in Bangalore amid tight security

Amid tight security, a bronze statue of Tamil saint-poet Thiruvalluvar was finally unveiled here on Sunday by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, ending an 18-year standoff on the issue following opposition from pro-Kannada groups.

Barring a minor protest by Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists at Malleswara, about 10 km from the main function venue, the ceremony passed off without any trouble with about 3,000 security personnel maintaining a tight vigil.

Police had rounded up over 1,000 activists of pro-Kannada organisations since August 7 to thwart pro-Kannada outfits from disrupting the event. The 83-year-old DMK leader unveiled the statue by pressing a remote control button at RBANM grounds in the presence of Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, as part of statue-diplomacy between the two states which is expected to turn a new leaf in the strained relations over the Cauvery river water sharing issue.

Symptoms of Swine Flu

The symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with novel H1N1 flu virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. The high risk groups for novel H1N1 flu are not known at this time, but it's possible that they may be the same as for seasonal influenza.

Emergency Warning Signs

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

1.Fast breathing or trouble breathing

2.Bluish or gray skin color

3.Not drinking enough fluids

4.Severe or persistent vomiting

5.Not waking up or not interacting

6.Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

7.Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

1.Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

2.Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

3.Sudden dizziness

4.Confusion

5.Severe or persistent vomiting

6.Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Swine flu scare hits World Badminton tournament in Hyderabad


August 10, 2009

Swine flu: First blood in TN


The dreaded swine flu claimed its first victim in Chennai when a four-year-old boy tested positive for A (H1N1) virus, died in a private hospital at Chetpet this morning.

This was the first swine flu death reported from the Chennai city and sixth in the country.
. The boy, Sanjay, a UKG student, was suffering from multiple organ failure and was admitted to Dr Mehta’s Hospital. Even as he was battling for life, medical tests on the boy had revealed on Saturday that he was down with the flu.

Samples were sent to the King Institute of Medicine at Guindy for tests, and the reports were positive.
After informing the Health authorities and the Communicable Diseases Hospital at Tondiarpet where suspected swine flu cases were quarantined, the hospital had been given the Tamiflu drug.

The boy, who was put on ventilator, was administered the drug yesterday. Despite the treatment, the boy, suffering from asthma, severe diarrhoea, fever and breathing difficulty, besides kidney and liver failures, died at 8.55 am today.

As the news of the death spread, the management of Akshaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School, where Sanjay was studying, had declared a week- long holiday.

All the three campuses of the school at Velacheri, Nanganallur and Gopalapuram would be closed for a week, sources said. The students of the Velacheri school where Sanjay had studied, were also being checked for possible swine flu.

The residents of the apartment, where Sanjay was living, were also subjected to swine flu tests after three people — his older brother and two others in the flat — reportedly tested positive.

Not to take any chances, the Health Department had advised parents not to send their wards, having cough and fever, to school to prevent the spread of virus.

Briefing mediapersons at a joint press meet, Dr Mehta’s Hospital paediatric nephrologist Dr N Prahlad said the deceased had been in the hospital for a week for multiple organ failure.

‘The child was also suffering from asthma and severe diarrhoea, fever and breathing difficulties’, he said, adding that medical tests done on the child, who was put on ventilator, to find out the reasons for multiple organ failure, tested positive for swine flu.

Speaking to reporters, Dr S Palanivelu, senior regional director (Health & Family Welfare), Tamilnadu, said various investigations would be taken in and around Velachery for the exact reason for epidemic in that particular pocket was not known.

‘The funeral of the victim will be done after holding consultations with various officials concerned including State Healthcare Department and we strictly follow the protocol’, he added.

In Tamilnadu, there are about 42 cases of the possible swine flu who are undergoing treatment now’, he further said. When asked about the names of the parents, the hospital authorities denied that it was not necessary at this point of time.

It is reportedly said a few women who had been delivered of babies at the hospital wanted to get discharged immediately.

JIPMER equipped

Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) here was fully equipped for treating swine flu cases, a senior official of the institution said here today.

Director of JIPMER Dr K S V K Subba Rao told PTI that four persons with suspected swine flu were admitted few days ago. However they were tested negative.

Rao said that four doctors from Department of Microbiology and Community Medicine had undergone special trainining in New Delhi to handle the swine flu cases, he said.

Puducherry Home and Health Minister E Valsaraj had stated in the Assembly a few days ago that no case of swine flu has been reported in the Union Territory.

Health authorities were keeping close vigil and no case had been reported from anywhere in Puducherry, he said.

School shut in B’galore

A private school here today closed its primary wing for a week as a precautionary measure following the swine flu scare in the country.

School sources said the step had been taken after several schools were closed in Pune in neighbouring Maharashtra where the viral disease claimed a 14-year-old girl’s life.

Karnataka has so far recorded about 85 confirmed cases of swine flu.

Dos and donts for Swine flu

Swine flu in India is spreading like wildfire, taking the toll to six. Officials say there are currently more than 800 cases of the H1N1 flu strain in India. Governments from all around the world are finding ways to combat this deadly disease. So what can you do to protect yourself? Stay calm and practice these 10 effective prevention tips.

1. Wash your hands frequently

Use the antibacterial soaps to cleanse your hands. Wash them often, at least 15 seconds and rinse with running water.

2. Get enough sleep

Try to get 8 hours of good sleep every night to keep your immune system in top flu-fighting shape.

3. Keep hydrated

Drink 8 to10 glasses of water each day to flush toxins from your system and maintain good moisture and mucous production in your sinuses.

4. Boost your immune system

Keeping your body strong, nourished, and ready to fight infection is important in flu prevention. So stick with whole grains, colorful vegetables, and vitamin-rich fruits.

5. Keep informed

The government is taking necessary steps to prevent the pandemic and periodically release guidelines to keep the pandemic away. Please make sure to keep up to date on the information and act in a calm manner.

6. Avoid alcohol

Apart from being a mood depressant, alcohol is an immune suppressant that can actually decrease your resistance to viral infections like swine flu. So stay away from alcoholic drinks so that your immune system may be strong.

7. Be physically active

Moderate exercise can support the immune system by increasing circulation and oxygenating the body. For example brisk walking for 30-40 minutes 3-4 times a week will significantly perk up your immunity.

8. Keep away from sick people

Flu virus spreads when particles dispersed into the air through a cough or sneeze reach someone elses nose. So if you have to be around someone who is sick, try to stay a few feet away from them and especially, avoid physical contact.

9. Know when to get help

Consult your doctor if you have a cough and fever and follow their instructions, including taking medicine as prescribed.

10. Avoid crowded areas

Try to avoid unnecessary trips outside. Moreover, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

August 9, 2009

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