With many people already down with Seasonal Influenza (H1N1) commonly known as Swine Flu, the Delhi Government’s Health Department, on Friday, released an advisory including some preventable measures for general public.

According to the advisory, Children with mild illness but with predisposing risk factors, pregnant women, people aged 65 years or older, patients with lung diseases, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, blood disorders, diabetes, neurological disorders, cancer and HIV/AIDS are the most vulnerable to the disease.

The advisory said the common symptoms of the flu are fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and difficulty in breathing however the flu can be prevented by avoiding any direct or indirect physical contact with the person infected as the flu is highly contagious.

“Seasonal Influenza (H1N1) is a self- limiting viral, air borne diseases spread from person-to-person, through large droplets generated by the act of coughing and sneezing, indirect contact by touching a contaminated object or surface and close contact,” said the advisory.

The symptoms may include body aches, headache, fatigue, chills, diarrhoea and vomiting and Blood Stained Sputum (a mixture of mucus and saliva), it said further.

Influenza H1N1 can be categorized into three types. While category A which consists of mild fever and cough with occasional bodyache, diarrhea and vomiting does not require any medication, Category B may require medication.

“In addition to all the signs and symptoms mentioned under Category-A, if the patient has high grade fever and severe sore throat, may require home isolation and medication,” the advisory stated.

The most dangerous type of the H1N1 Influenza is Category C. In this category of Influenza, the common symptoms are breathlessness, chest pain, drowsiness, fall in blood pressure, sputum mixed with blood and bluish discolouration of nails.

“Children with influenza like illness who had a severe disease as manifested by the red flag signs (Somnolence, high and persistent fever, inability to feed well, convulsions, shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing, etc),” added the release.

However, the flu can be prevented by taking various measures.