This year, Delhi is going to be witnessing an alert of swine flu. The rate of occurrence of H1N1 has been found to be around six times more than last year. If there are any symptoms of fever which refuses to subside, then it shouldn’t be taken lightly. In this guide, you will learn about the symptoms of swine flu along with when to conduct a swine flu test in Delhi.
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What is Swine Influenza and in what way does it transmit?
Swine flu is an infection brought about by the H1N1 Influenza virus, which falls under the family of Influenza A viruses. This name was coined years back owing to the discovery of the virus in pigs. However, there is no need to panic since the virus is not acquired through consumption of pork or any other type of pig meat.
How Does It Spread?
- Coughing, sneezing, or speaking: Droplets from an infected person carry the virus into the air; you become infected when you inhale them, or when they come in contact with your nose or mouth.
- Contact with contaminated surfaces: Swine flu virus can remain alive on contaminated surfaces such as door handles, tables, mobile phones, or lift buttons for several hours. It enters your body through contact with these surfaces followed by touching of your nose, mouth, or eyes without washing your hands.
- Contact with infected persons: Any contact with someone suffering from swine flu increases the chances of catching the disease. This is particularly true in case of close and prolonged contact in small, poorly ventilated rooms where there is less scope for dispersion of the virus.
Delhi sees maximum cases of swine flu during the monsoon and winter seasons because of indoor clustering of people in the rainy and cold season. You can infect other people one day before the onset of symptoms to one week after falling ill.
What Are the Common Swine Flu Symptoms to Watch For?
The swine flu symptoms usually resemble a bad case of a common cold in the beginning; however, they develop much quicker. The symptoms include:
A sudden spike in body temperature which is usually above 100°F
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Muscle pains that are much worse than those from the flu
- Headache
- Chills and shakes
- Severe fatigue
- Congestion or a runny nose
- Loss of appetite
- Redness of eyes
- Occasionally, in children, nausea and diarrhea
In the event that you experience difficulty breathing, chest pain, blue-tinted lips, or an extremely high temperature which does not respond to treatment, consider it a danger sign and see a doctor right away.
Normal Fever/Cold vs Swine Flu: What's the Difference?
In the first day or two, swine flu can feel just like a regular cold or fever. This often confuses people, so here's a simple table to help you spot the difference:
| What You Feel | Normal Cold/Fever | Swine Flu (H1N1) |
| How it starts | Arrives gradually, over a day or two | Comes on suddenly, within a few hours |
| Fever | Usually mild, sometimes none | High fever, often above 100°F |
| Body pain | Mild or not there | Strong body ache, more than usual |
| Tiredness | Mild | Feeling very weak and tired |
| Cough | Mild, sometimes with mucus | Dry and continuous |
| Sore throat | Common | Common, but often more painful |
| Headache | Mild or not there | Moderate to severe |
| Chills | Rare | Common |
| Runny or blocked nose | Very common | Can happen, but less common |
| Vomiting or loose motions | Rare | Can happen, mainly in children |
| Time to recover | 3 to 5 days | 1 to 2 weeks, longer for high-risk patients |
When Should You Get a Swine Flu Test?
Not every mild fever requires testing. Doctors typically advise patients to get tested for swine flu if:
- Their fever is accompanied by coughing or sore throat and continues beyond 2-3 days without getting better
- They have fever together with muscle pain, headache, and fatigue, and they belong to high-risk groups like children under the age of 5, adults over 65 years old, pregnant women, and asthmatic, diabetic, heart or kidney disease patients
- They are in close contact with someone infected with H1N1 flu
- They experience breathlessness or chest discomfort along with other flu symptoms
- Their fever reappears after improvement or gets worsened abruptly
- They have a compromised immune system due to their pre-existing condition or medications like chemotherapy or steroids
- The earlier you go to get your test done within 2-3 days of the appearance of the symptoms, the more accurate the results will be.
Where Can I Get a Swine Flu Test at a Lab in Delhi?
If you're searching for swine flu testing near me, most accredited diagnostic labs in Delhi offer the H1N1 RT-PCR test, which detects the virus from a throat and nasal swab sample. Look for:
- NABL-accredited diagnostic labs in Delhi for reliable results
- Labs offering same-day or next-day report turnaround
- Free or paid home sample collection, so you don't need to step out while unwell
JDAR PathLab provides the H1N1 RT-PCR Test in New Delhi with correct reporting and sample collection at home so that you can use this testing facility even if you wish to stay indoors when not feeling well. It is the best way to get the H1N1 test confirmed in Delhi because it helps identify the virus’s genetic material.
How Much Does a Swine Flu Test Cost in Delhi?
The cost of the swine flu test in Delhi lies somewhere between ₹3,000 to ₹5,500 according to the lab chosen and the mode of sample collection either from home or at the clinic. The cost of the H1N1 RT-PCR test is ₹4,500 at JDAR PathLab. There are discounts offered by labs at times of outbreaks so check the discount rate before booking the test. Ensure that you know the cost of your test during booking.
- Booking your H1N1 RT-PCR test is now easier as you do not have to make any clinic visits. Most Delhi based labs allow you to:
- Book online via their websites or mobile app
- Pick a suitable time slot for home sample collection
- Get your report either by email or WhatsApp within 24 hours
You can book your swine flu test via JDAR PathLab too just pick a convenient slot for home sample collection.
Where Can I Book a Swine Flu Vaccination Appointment Near Me?
Your flu vaccine can be booked from:
- Private hospitals/clinics that provide in-house flu vaccination facilities
- Diagnostic and vaccination centers that offer vaccination services, including home vaccination facilities in Delhi
- Family doctors, who can guide you about the appropriate flu vaccine based on your age and health conditions
- JDAR PathLab, an NABL-accredited diagnostic center in New Delhi, where flu vaccination is available under the guidance of skilled healthcare professionals experienced in diagnostic and preventive healthcare services
Flu Vaccine Available at JDAR PathLab
The influenza vaccine shown above (Inactivated Influenza Vaccine – Quadrivalent, Influvac Tetra) is available at JDAR PathLab. Patients can contact the lab to check vaccine availability and book their vaccination appointment under professional healthcare guidance.
The ideal time to get a flu vaccine is before the peak flu season, preferably before the monsoon season.
Don't wait for symptoms to worsen protect yourself and your family today. [Book your swine flu vaccine at JDAR PathLab now →
