Swine flu: Health Department Urges Tibetans to Exercise Precautionary Measures[Sunday, 16 August 2009, 10:06 a.m.]
Health Kalon Chope Paljor Tsering issues a health advisory to Tibetans on Swine flu epidemic during a press conference at his office in Dharamsala, India, on 14 August 2009/Photo by Tenzin Dhonyoe |
Dharamshala: Describing
the media reports by some Indian newspaper that seven Tibetans in
Dharamsala were tested positive for swine flu as “untrue”, the health
department of the Central Tibetan Administration however urged the
Tibetans to remain alert and follow precautionary measures to combat
the epidemic. Health Kalon Chope Paljor Tsering said the
Tibetans should learn about the precautionary methods by visiting web
sites and spread the valuable information to their family members,
relatives, neighbours and friends. He also advised the Tibetans to
consult preventive medication developed by Men-Tsee Khang or the
Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute.The health department
issued a set a guidelines about swine flu, symptoms to watch out for,
what treatments are available and how to prevent the spread of
infection. What are the symptoms of swine flu?Symptoms
of swine flu are similar to those of seasonal flu and typically include
cough, sore throat, feverish illness, muscle aches, headache and
fatigue.What are the precautionary measures?
- Always wear surgical masks in places of mass public gathering
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus
Can it be treated? Yes.
Testing has shown that it can be treated with the anti-viral drugs
oseltamivir (Tamiflu), which stop the virus from replicating inside
your body. To be most effective, they should be taken less than two
days after you first develop symptoms.What should I do if I think I’m infected?
- If you develop flu like symptoms, take good rest at home for one week to prevent the spread of virus to other people