SELF-MEDICATED FOR A WHILE 56-yr-old becomes 29th H1N1 fatality in state in 3 months

A 56-year-old Ambivli resident became the second H1N1 fatality in a fortnight in the Mumbai metropolitan region (MMR). With the latest death, the H1N1 toll in the state has gone up to 29 in three months, the highest in the country this year.      Satish Sutar died on Tuesday after undergoing treatment at two nursing homes for the last few days. Local health authorities said Sutar had recently travelled to Pune and could have contracted the virus there. He was not diagnosed or treated for H1N1 till a day before his death, said local health officers.      Sutar, who stayed in Kalyan taluka, selfmedicated for 10 days before seeking medical help. Sutar's family said he had severe cold and cough since July 1 but insisted on self-medicating. As his condition worsened, he was admitted to Sai Shraddha Hospital in Rambaug, Kalyan. A few days later on July 13, his family shifted him to Nityanand nursing home.      Dr S J Upasani, head of Nityanand nursing home, told TOI that Sutar was already battling tuberculosis (TB) when he was brought to their facility and the doctors focused on treating him for TB. The nursing home initially suspected he had pneumonia. "When his condition did not improve, we suspected it to be a case of H1N1. We collected his swab samples and sent them to a private lab on July 15 for tests. Sutar was started on the antiviral course the same day," said Upasani, adding, "He was also a diabetic."      The Rambaug hospital where Sutar underwent treatment before Nityanand never suspected he was suffering from H1N1. Sutar's H1N1 report arrived two hours after he died.      State epidemiologist Dr Pradeep Awate said doctors across the state have been sensitized to suspect H1N1, along with other seasonal ailments, and start the treatment without waiting for test reports. "People with comorbid conditions have mainly succumbed to the virus," he said.      Sutar is survived by three sons. His son Mahesh said, "After his death, doctors from the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) visited our house and administered the antiviral to nine of our family members."      Seven more people from Kalyan have tested positive for the virus this month. Interestingly, Nityanand nursing home had treated two positive cases early this month.  FLU FEARS GO VIRAL WHO SHOULD GO FOR TESTING?  Category C patients  SYMPTOMS | Mild fever (below 100°F), cough, throat irritation, body ache, headache, vomiting  SWAB COLLECTION | Not recommended  TREATMENT | Regular drugs. No Oseltamivir (anti-viral drug marketed under the trade name Tamiflu). Reassessment of patient after 24 hrs  Category B patients  SYMPTOMS | High fever (above 100°F), severe sore throat, running nose, etc  SWAB COLLECTION | Only patients with associated illnesses (co-morbid conditions) like diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure, etc  TREATMENT | Oseltamivir  Category A patients  SYMPTOMS | High fever, runny nose, breathlessness, chest pain, haemoptysis (coughing blood), hypotension (low BP), bluish discolouration of nails, irritation and drowsiness in children SWAB COLLECTION | All patients TREATMENT | Oseltamivir PRECAUTIONS  Cover mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing  Wash hands often with soap or use an alcohol-based sanitizer  Consult a doctor if you have any of the symptoms and avoid public placesDrink plenty of water, eat nutritious food and get eight hours of sleep  Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth after sneezing or coughing  Do not self-medicate and see a physician as soon as symptoms show