By IANS,
New Delhi: The Delhi government Monday advised educational institutes not to shut down if their students show swine flu symptoms, and said “the current magnitude of the spread of H1N1 infection is fairly mild”.
Delhi’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Kiran Walia said institutes are instead advised to allow students and staff members who have flu like symptoms like fever, cough, running nose and difficulty in breathing to stay at home for seven to 10 days.
“The current magnitude of the spread of H1N1 infection and the current virus is fairly mild,” the health minister said in the guidelines given to schools and colleges across Delhi.
“Educational institutes should not insist on the production of a medical certificate by the student or staff member,” Walia said.
In case of students staying in institutes’ hostels, health should be monitored of both students as well as care providers.
However, the boarder is advised not to be sent back home if tested positive of H1N1 because that may lead to spread of the infection. Local health providers should instead be informed so that proper care can be taken.
Institutes have also been advised to refrain from taking students on excursions to those countries which have been affected by H1N1. In case any student has gone to any such country and has reported flu like symptoms, he or she should be abstained from attending classes for a week to 10 days, the guidelines said.
The Delhi government has also advised swine flu patients opting for home quarantine to stay at home for seven days and isolate themselves in a well ventilated room.
“The patient should wear a mask all the time. Three layered surgical mask will be provided by the hospital and if mask is not readily available, mouth and nose should be covered with a clean piece of cloth, handkerchief or tissue paper,” Walia said.
“The patient should avoid smoking, meeting visitor and should stay at home. They should avoid close contact with others and if inevitable, they should always maintain an arms length. In case the condition worsens, the treating hospital should be contacted immediately and patient in no case should go for self-medication,” Walia added.