Dos

• People with chronic health conditions should take extra care in order to avoid getting infected by the H1N1 virus.
• People with asthma, heart conditions, hypertension, diabetes or any or more of such pre-existing health issues should be regular in taking medication and going in for their medical checkups.
• Chronic conditions increase the susceptibility of a person to fall prey to a viral infection. As such all the necessary precautions, especially non-participation in public gatherings while the pandemic is on, must be followed strictly.
• People with chronic health conditions should look for non-strenuous methods and non-offensive medications to boost their general health.
• Swine flu spreads like the seasonal flu – primarily through droplets from coughs and sneezes. That is why people with existing or chronic health conditions should do the following more particularly:
  • Washing hands frequently.
  • Avoiding people sick with the flu.
  • When a vaccine becomes available, getting vaccinated.
• Pre-existing or chronic health conditions would necessitate taking Swine Flu medication under strict medical supervision in case such a person gets affected by the Flu.

Don’ts

• People with chronic health conditions should not indulge in self-medication, especially in taking anti-viral medications.
• People with existing medical conditions should not resort to seeking different medical advice frequently as the case histories can get distorted and this may further hamper treatment of Swine Flu.
• People with chronic allergies, like for eggs, should not take Swine Flu vaccines unless otherwise advised by the doctor who has handled his/her case.
• People with chronic health problems should not resort to unhygienic personal living.
• People with pre-existing medical issues, especially respiratory disorders like asthma, should not get exposed to pollution, cold, rains or any such climatic or atmospheric influence which may also expose them to a risk of getting infected by Swine Flu virus.

Acknowledgements: WebMD.com, Data & information released by WHO / US CDC, IMA – Pune chapter, MOHFW – India website