Karishma Kulkarni, Nikhil Thatte, Rucha Shelgikar, Ira Shah
medical Sciences Department, Pediatric Oncall

Address For Correspondance: Dr Ira Shah, Editor- Pediatric Oncall, 1/B Saguna, 271/B St. Francis Road, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai 400056. Email: info@pediatriconcall.com

Which doctors should be on oseltamivir prophylaxis?
Ideally all health care personnel coming in contact with suspected, probable or confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza should receive post exposure prophylaxis. Osetamivir is a drug recommended for treatment of swine flu. It can be given as post exposure prophlaxis to contacts of H1N1 influenza patients. However doctors may get repeated exposures to H1N1 influenza virus and repeated courses of prophlaxis may not be useful and may infact have side effects.

Prophylaxis should be provided till 10 days after last exposure (maximum period of 6 weeks).

What precautions should a doctor take in the OPDs and with indoor patients?
While dealing with patients with flu-like symptoms, it is essential that the doctor carries out the following safety precautions:

1.	Clean hands before and after every patient interaction, preferably with alcohol-based disinfectants.
2.	Wear a disposable facemask or respirator.
3.	Segregate patients with flu-like symptoms in a separate waiting area; those patients who can tolerate facemasks should be asked to wear them.
4.	While collecting throat/nasal swabs – wear a facemask or respirator, gloves and protective eye equipment.
5.	Keep all surfaces in your OPD clean