An analysis of H1N1 cases in Mumbai by the BMC’s Health Department has shown that the median time between onset of symptoms and start of antiviral drug oseltamivir is four to five days. However, government protocols recommend beginning of medication within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
Dr. Padmaja Keskar, BMC’s executive health officer, “The civic body has advised people to visit a doctor as soon as the symptoms start. But they arrive only after taking over-the-counter medication and when the symptoms become severe.”
Dr. Hemant Gupta, a physician in south Mumbai, said there was a delay in treatment because of two reasons. He said, “Patients visit the doctor late, and doctors delay in their diagnosis.” Dr. Gupta said vaccination was important was reducing infections. “Immune-compromised patients should be treated with utmost emergency.”
A BMC official said, “A committee was held on Monday to review 10 deaths till June 15. Of these, nine were confirmed H1N1. Scrutiny of five deaths from June 16 to June 30 revealed that these deaths cannot be attributed to H1N1 only.”
