Swineflu prophylaxis

Swine flu cases are spreading all over India. The Institute Of Child Health(ICH) Kottayam, where I am currently doing my internship has had 2 cases of H1N1. Both were children below 12 years.

The first case gave a history of H1N1 contact. She was treated and was discharged after completion of treatment. The second case was a boy, who came from UAE. He was having very severe disease during the time of admission, he was having some co-morbid conditions(cerebral Palsy). Eventhough he was treated for 3 days, he didnt respond to treatment.

Prophylactic measures are taken by the government of India. Now our hospital has supply of the antiviral drug Oseltamivir( Fluvir).

The recommended dosage for prophylaxis is,

1 tablet of Oseltamivir(75mg) once daily for 10 days from the day of contact with a known case of H1N1.

If there are subsequent contacts with H1N1 cases, it is recommended that the person should take the medicine for 10 more days from the period of last contact.

ie If I have started taking medicine today, I have to take it for 10 days. But if I have another contact on the 5th day, I have to take day 5 as day 1 of the next course and take it for 10 more days. So the total number of days become 15.

Post exposure antiviral chemoprophylaxis with either oseltamivir or zanamivir can be considered for the following:

1. Close contacts of cases (confirmed, probable, or suspected) who are at high-risk for complications of influenza
2. Health care personnel, public health workers, or first responders who have had a recognized, unprotected close contact exposure to a person with novel (H1N1) influenza virus infection (confirmed, probable, or suspected) during that person’s infectious period. Information on appropriate personal protective equipment is available at: Interim Guidance for Infection Control for Care of Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in a Healthcare Setting and might be updated frequently as additional information on transmission becomes available.

for more details visit the CDC website :