You could catch H1N1 virus while in screening queue

The reason is that those visiting the institute for screening have to stand in the same queue.

Most of them do not come with protective masks and many end up covering their noses and mouths only with their hand-kerchieves.  

When those with symptoms of H1N1 influenza cough or sneeze, others standing in the queue are likely to be affected.

Swathi, who stood along with her husband in the queue, recalled how her husband was made to stand behind others for screening. He was suffering from pneumonia but had to wait in the queue.

Commenting on the risk of contracting the disease in the queue, RGICD Director Dr Shashidhar Buggi said, "Patients coming to our institute have to cover themselves properly.

Once they register, we do provide them with masks".

Many infants are also brought near the "H1N1 Flu ward" without any mask on.  Deccan Herald correspondents saw many mothers carrying their children without masks.

When asked, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in-charge director Dr Govindaraj said "children are in the high-risk group". IGICH has deputed six paediatricians to RGICD.

Victoria Hospital also started full-fledged screening of patients for H1N1 Influenza,
Medical Superintendent of the Hospital Dr B G Tilak said.

Health Secretary Perumal says that the most the patients coming to RGICD are from the IT sector, "They want to get a medical certificate to fly abroad,” said Perumal.