Following the orders of the Punjab Government, Dr. Civil Surgeon Ludhiana. Hitinder Kaur, while giving an advisory regarding swine flu, said that there has been a sudden increase in cases of swine flu across the country. Swine flu (H1 N1) is caused by a virus that spreads from person to person through inhalation.

Symptoms of H1 N1 mimic those of regular flu such as fever, sore throat, chills, diarrhea, vomiting and in some cases may require hospitalization.

Civil surgeon Dr. Hitinder Kaur shared information about the main symptoms of swine flu and said that high fever (above 101), cough and cold, cough and cold, difficulty in breathing, sneezing or runny nose, sore throat, diarrhea, body breakdown feeling etc. can be symptoms of swine flu.

He further said that swine flu is highly contagious. The disease spreads through saliva and mucus particles such as sneezing or coughing.

He appealed to take precautions to prevent swine flu and said to cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief while coughing or sneezing, wash your hands thoroughly with soap before and after touching your nose, eyes and mouth. Avoid going to crowded places, keep a distance from people suffering from cough, runny nose, sneezing and fever and drink plenty of water.

He said that if a person has symptoms related to swine flu, avoid going to crowded places and use a mask. Apart from this, avoidance of swine flu should include shaking hands, hugging, kissing or any other physical contact with the patient, taking medicine without medical examination, refraining from spitting outside and in the open.

Civil surgeon Dr. Hitinder Kaur said that swine flu tests and medicines are available free of cost in all government hospitals.