A woman with swine flu died in India after four days of reported infection, The Wall Street Journal reported.
A 51-year old woman died from swine flu at New Delhi hospital in India on Wednesday. The woman died four days after she was diagnosed due to multiple organ failure brought about by the flu.
This is the first case of Swine flu recorded at India's National Capital Region.
The woman complained of fever and cold and was admitted at the Ganga Ram Hospital on Dec. 21. Later on, she tested positive for swine flu. The patient received treatment and used a ventilator since her lung collapsed.
Hospital spokesperson Ajoy Seghal confirmed her condition.
"She had lung failure and was on high frequency ventilator support, confirmed it to be a case of swine flu," Seghal said.
Prior to the patient's admission, the woman did not have any serious medical condition, Times of India reported.
"The patient did not have any history of serious illness. Her medical records reveal she suffered from high blood pressure and thyroid disorder, which is common," a senior doctor said.
The woman's case is alarming since the disease can weaken a previously healthy person rapidly. In other parts of India, dozens of people are affected with swine flu.
In the southern Indian state of Telangan, three people died from swine flu and over a dozen were hospitalized. In Pune City, eleven people were diagnosed with the disease while one of them is in critical condition. Reports say that over 40 people have died from swine flu across India in 2014, according to International Business Times.
The swine flu is a disease that affects the respiratory system and weakens the immune system. It can damage multiple organs such as the lungs. The infected person may experience early symptoms such as fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, and sore throat.
The medication Tamiflu is used to treat patients and an isolation room is reserved for them. Reports say that the beds are prepared but medicines are not. Some hospitals in India have a Tamiflu shortage, according to Asian Age.
As with any other disease, prevention is better than cure. Internal medicine doctor, R.K. Singhal discussed the preventive measures that can be done.
"Besides washing hands regularly and not sneezing publicly, one should especially be careful while in train or travelling by air. Basic precautions like frequent use of soaps and sanitiser, avoiding sharing of plates and glasses and exposure to those infected should surely be taken. A visit to the doctor at the earliest hint of cold or flu is highly recommended," said Singhal.
According to medical experts, if preventive measures are followed and treatment is easily accessed, there is little chance for swine flu to become epidemic.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
