Syed Akbar
Hyderabad, June 17: With swine flu gradually turning deadly in many parts of the world, health experts and scientists fear that a mix of swine flu virus with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may lead to a cocktail of a severely potent viral strain that could wreak havoc.
The HIV-H1N1 co-infection risk is more in Andhra Pradesh as it has a large number of people living with HIV. The State has 5.4 lakh HIV positive cases, the highest number for any State in India. Since half of the 31 swine flu cases reported in the country are from Hyderabad and other parts of the State, any lax on the part
of health and quarantine authorities may spell a doom.
Since people with HIV have suppressed immunity, it takes quite a long period for swine flu virus to subside. The virus may develop into a potent viral strain by being a co-pathogen with the human immunodeficiency virus.
"People suffering from HIV, particularly those with low CD4 cell counts in their blood, are at higher risk of contacting swine flu. While swine flu may not develop pneumonia in ordinary people, chances are higher among people living with HIV," warns senior researcher Dr MN Khaja, who formed part of the team that
sequenced Hepatitis C virus.
Moreover, the swine flu or novel influenza A (H1N1) virus may emerge into a more potent viral strain in PLWH as in the case of tuberculosis bacteria. The TB bacteria has turned more potent in people with TB and HIV co-infection, causing resistance to available drugs.
"Though we do not have sufficient research data on H1N1 and HIV co-infection and how severe the human influenza virus would behave in people with low or compromised immunity, the World Health Organisation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA, have preliminary data that suggests the severity of the problem. The virus may turn more lethal and a new strain may emerge in HIV hosts," Dr Khaja told this correspondent.
Health officials point out that adults and adolescents with HIV infection are known to be at higher risk for viral and bacterial lower respiratory tract infections and for different types of recurrent pneumonia. Evidence that influenza can be more severe for HIV-infected adults and adolescents comes from studies among HIV-infected persons who had seasonal influenza.
The novel influenza A virus has been found to be sensitive to the neuraminidase inhibitor anti viral medications zanamivir and oseltamivir. But whether it works in people living with HIV is not yet clear.
Dear Syed Akbar,
ReplyDeleteWe have read your blogs and have liked your writing skills on Travel and more. Hence, we have taken the liberty to write to you to make some money by using your skill sets...
Onion Insights (OI) – is a boutique Customer Experience Management Firm with the core focus on Mystery Shopping. We would like to invite you to become a part of a change Movement that helps companies improve and enhance the service offerings to better every Customer’s shopping experience. Here’’s how you can do it...
Long, long time ago in India, companies were left puzzled when they saw their profit figures and the footfall of customers dwindle for no apparent reason. Managers tried to probe the reason by going on the floor and servicing the customers themselves but to their surprise, could discover nothing. Then one day a smart manager innocently asked one of the everyday shoppers, Mrs. Sharma, to share her experience at the store with the management. She reluctantly agreed and started listing down objective observations and left everyone astonished. The managers got to work and acted on the feedback. Within no time, the good old days of the store returned and shoppers like Mrs. Sharma were secretly commissioned to maintain high standards of customer service and thereby improving the shopping experience delivered in every industry.
Thus, the Mystery Shopper was born in India. The Mystery Shopper has since then gone through overhauls and in today’s age the Mystery Shopper resembles the person reading this. YES! You read it correctly. We are talking about YOU! And we are happy to inform you that we have chosen you to be a part of the Onion Insights Mystery Shoppers’ Group. Be an OI Mystery Shopper not only for the timely rewards but for the experience and to contribute in a significant way to the betterment of the service industry. And in return, become a better Customer yourself!
Every OI Mystery Shopper is trained using interactive training modules. So when you do a Mystery Shop, you are well equipped with the necessary skill set and knowledge that will set you a class apart from the average Mystery Shoppers. Every Mystery Shop will include exciting scenarios, free merchandise, prices and most importantly, your efforts will be rewarded handsomely within 20 days. Yes – your payments will reach you via a Demand Draft 20 days after you submit your Mystery Shop report and it has been duly accepted by the OI team. OI surely acknowledges the value of your time and effort!
So, what do you think? With diverse clients, fun filled Mystery Shops, prompt assistance and payment, OI easily becomes an obvious choice! So are you ready to embark on a thrilling journey that will take you to your nearest retail store or your favourite restaurant?
If yes, go to www.sassieshop.com/2eyp and sign up as a New Mystery Shopper because assignments are waiting for you in your city! Ensure that you provide all your correct details so that all our communication and payments reach you in a timely manner. In case you stumble upon some difficulty, shoot an email to support@onioninsights.com OR call us on +91976781001 and we will revert promptly. Look forward to working with you. Thank You.
Yours-in-Mystery Shopping,
Onion Insights Team – Mumbai
p.s. – And hey, if you are trying to know more about us at www.onioninsights.com, kindly note that our Website is under construction and should be up and running soon…