A case of H1N1 influenza has been reported in Tiruchi even as health and civic officials are focussed on dengue control measures.
The patient, S.Kamaludeen (57) of Srinivasa Nagar in the city, has been admitted to Apollo Hospitals here. He was admitted to the hospital on Friday night with breathing difficulty and fatigue. He has been kept in an isolation ICU ward and put on Tamiflu tablets after testing positive for H1N1.
Mr. Kamaludeen, a businessman, has no foreign travel history. He, however, is said to have had a history of cardiac ailment and asthma. He had recently developed respiratory infection and recovered partially after undergoing treatment at another private hospital about 15 days ago.
“We were initially treating him for pneumonia and cardiac ailment. His kidney function worsened with a drop in blood pressure a couple of days back. As he did not respond to regular antibiotics, a nose and throat swab test was done and he tested positive for H1N1. We put him on Tamiflu immediately and his condition improved slightly after that although he is still on ventilator support,” said Dr. Kader Sahib, the cardiologist treating him at the hospital.
“His condition is said to be critical. We hope he recovers soon,” said Mohamed Ismail, son of Mr. Kamaludeen. City health officials have visited the family and put them on prophylactic treatment with Tamiflu tablets.
“All his family members and contacts have been screened and asked to take the tablets for 10 days. We have also mounted surveillance in the area,” said a health official.
Second case
Corporation officials said there was no need for panic as no other case has been reported. This is the second case of the influenza reported in the city this year. In January, a Malaysian national was admitted to the same hospital and recovered after treatment. Prolonged fever, sore throat and pain, breathing difficulty, body pain and loss of appetite are among the symptoms of H1N1 influenza. Persons with such symptoms should seek medical advice immediately, Dr. Sahib said.
In January, a Malaysian national was admitted to the same hospital and recovered after treatment
