NACO's H1N1 guidelines for HIV-infected persons

“We received the guidelines from NACO a fortnight back,” said R R Jannu, project director, Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSACPS). Besides adhering to the general precautionary guidelines given by the WHO, the advisory mentions that HIV-infected persons should maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat well, get enough sleep and reduce stress.

The person is under any antiretroviral or antimicrobial prophylaxis against opportunistic infective, he or she should adhere to the prescribed treatment and follow the advice of the healthcare provider in order to maximise the health of immune system.

Three more succumb to flu
Three more persons succumbed to the dreaded H1N1 influenza, raising the death toll to 48 in the State on Wednesday. A five-year-old boy and a 40-year-old man expired at private hospitals in Bijapur and 36-year-old man succumbed at a private hospital in Bagalkot. 
Meanwhile, 35 cases tested positive for the flu with 27 cases reported in Bangalore alone.  Two cases were reported in Belgaum and Bijapur and one case each in Bagalkot, Gadag, Hubli and Kolar. Till date, 654 persons have tested positive for the H1N1 influenza in the State.

Following are the guidelines issued by National AIDS Control Organisation to ART centres:
*Put up a notice at the entrance of centre, that persons with cough, fever, sore throat, running nose, body ache, chills or fatigue should wear
a mask before entering
*Provide masks at the entry of the centre
*Examine these patients on first priority
*Ask for any possible contact with a person suspected to be infected with H1N1 flu virus and history of travel abroad recently
*All persons with the above symptoms or history should be referred to a designated government facility for
H1N1 virus infection, for further evaluation and management.