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Delhi radiologist flags higher H1N1 risk in pregnancy
Hindustan Times··30 Aug
With H1N1 cases rising in India, Delhi radiologist Dr Bimalpreet Mohan warned of higher risk in pregnancy. She also listed older adults, young children and people with chronic illness as vulnerable. Early signs include fever, cough, sore throat and fatigue that mirror other viral illness. She said persistent fever with breathlessness or falling oxygen needs evaluation. RT-PCR can confirm influenza.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Pregnant patients with significant flu symptoms are advised by Dr Mohan to contact their treating doctor early rather than wait it out.
- Chest X-ray or CT is relevant only when breathlessness, low oxygen, chest pain or suspected pneumonia appears.
- High-risk groups include people with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or weakened immunity.
What's Happening
- Dr Mohan said influenza can be overlooked because early signs look like ordinary viral illness.
- She said testing is not automatic for every fever and should change treatment or management when used.
- For most people, influenza improves with supportive care and medical management.
When Imaging Enters the Picture
- Mohan said a normal oxygen reading at one moment does not rule out later worsening.
- Symptoms, examination findings and risk profile have to be considered together, Mohan said.
- Prevention advice for high-risk people includes avoiding close contact with the unwell and hand hygiene.
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