Mumbai : The Haffkine Research and Testing Centre (HRTC) of Parel revealed that they have received more than 150 swabs for swine flu testing in the month of September.
Following this, the laboratory officers said that along with awareness campaigns by the civic body, it is crucial that they get the support of patients and their relatives in fighting diseases such as swine flu and dengue. They added that owing to weak immunity and unhealthy lifestyle, people are becoming more susceptible to viruses which prove fatal by delay in treatment.
The civic officers stated that many of the patients’ condition had worsened and they had stopped responding to Oseltamivir dosage as they had developed complications. Therefore, doctors at all the hospitals have been trained to treat the patients in the right way and to provide the necessary treatment on time. Further, the officials added that despite creating awareness about reporting to the doctor at the earliest, people have opted for self-medication at home leading to deterioration of the patients’ condition.
The Haffkine lab used to witness nearly 300-400 swabs for testing before September and say there has been a decline in the swine flu cases this month. Dr Shweta Kothari, senior scientific officer at HRTC, said: “Healthy food, exercise and hygiene will help in keeping the diseases at bay and therefore, we urge people to look after themselves as well as their family’s health.”
