Exasperated over complaints from hundreds of hospitals across the country which are unable to control the H1N1 panic and rush to
hospitals, the Union health ministry has clearly spelt out as to who should go for the testing. Accordingly, even those with high fever or sore throat need not go for the test. Only those with breathlessness, chest pain and low BP must undergo the test.

To prevent and contain Influenza-A H1N1 virus for screening, testing and isolation, the following guidelines are to be followed. At first, all individuals seeking consultations for flu-like symptoms should be screened at healthcare facilities — both government and private — or examined by a doctor. These will be categorized as under:

Category A

Patients with mild fever plus cough/sore throat with or without body ache, headache, diarrhoea and vomiting will be categorised as Category-A. They do not require Oseltamivir and should be treated for these symptoms. The patients should be monitored for their progress and reassessed at 24 to 48 hours by the doctor.

No testing of the patient for H1N1 is required.
Patients should stay home and avoid mixing up with public and high-risk members in the family.

Category B

In addition to all the signs and symptoms mentioned under Category-A, if the patient has high-grade fever and severe sore throat, may require home isolation and Oseltamivir

In addition to all the signs and symptoms mentioned under Category-A, individuals having one or more of the following high-risk conditions shall be treated with Oseltamivir.

Children less than 5 yrs old

Pregnant women

Persons aged 65 or more

Patients with lung diseases, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, blood disorders, diabetes, neurological disorders, cancer and HIV/AIDS; patients on long-term cortisone therapy.

No test for H1N1 is required for Category-B (children below 5 yrs) and (pregnant women).

These patients should stay home and avoid mixing with public and high risk members in the family.

Category C

In addition to the above signs and symptoms of Category-A and B, if the patient has one or more of the following:

Breathlessness, chest pain, drowsiness, fall in blood pressure, sputum mixed with blood, bluish discolouration of nails

Irritability among small children, refusal to accept feed

Worsening of underlying chronic conditions

All these patients mentioned above in Category-C require testing, immediate hospitalization and treatment.