I want to tell that you should be aware of the symptoms of Swine Flu. But there is no need to panic and join the publicity propaganda carried out by media and others which acts as a vehicle to spread misconception than to spread scientific information. These are few facts about swine flu which discussed with the leading epidemiologists:

1. Swine flu (also known as H1N1 flu) is not new. It was first detected in 1987.
2. Infective stage of swine flu is 5 days: 1 day before and 4 days after onset of symptoms.
3. The best way to prevent swine flu from spreading is: asking patient (showing swine flu symptoms) to take rest at home for 4 days so that s/he does not transmit the virus to other.
4. Masks are of limited value in this disease. I strongly doubt whther they have any value at all! Note that the flu can spread through droplets on your skin, through close contact, etc. I have seen that the masks in Pune are worn as fashion statement - today morning, I saw people coming out for a morning walk with their dogs and wearing H1N1 masks! Many even wearing masks around their necks, and so on. In fact these masks shall act as the vehicles to carry the virus, instead of avoiding it. It is advisable that you should avoid visiting crowded places like cinema halls, malls, dahi-handis, gatherings, social events, etc.
5. Death after H1N1 flu is not common. In fact, infections like measles is taking toll of thousands more every year, and we are oblivious to these facts. Swine flu is being blown out of proportion by media trying to create hysteria among innocent people.
6. Fever accompanied by respiratory distress, should be immediately notified which is likely to be a complication of H1N1 flu.
7. Note that the mortality rate of Swine Flu is less than .01 percent of those affected.
8. If you remember, 2 years ago SARS was blown out of proportion, what happened? Humans develop immunity to the virus, the same is going to happen, we develop immunity in due course of time, the virus is in the air, you can not stop it, our body is already developing the immunity so nothing to panic. We need to take extra care of small children and elderly who have less immunity and do not let them go to crowded places – that is all is needed in this hour of crisis. You should only test the infected people at authorized government testing labs only.

By the way, do you know that the N95 mask that is being sold like a hot cake is generally available for around Rs. 60-80 per piece. But because of the Swine Flu fever, the suppliers are asking as high as Rs. 500 per piece! This is grossly inhuman. Do you see who is getting benefited out of this? I strongly oppose such profiting acts and appeal to the general public to raise their voice and stop such miscreants from cashing on the general public emotion.