KANPUR: Regardless of the stern instructions, the private nursing homes are reported to conduct sample tests for swine flu infection. In the midst of swine flu detection cases in the city areas, the private pathology centres were cautiously conducting the test. But it is in no way certified test.
The patients admitted at the private hospitals are generally told to send their nasal swabs samples for the required test. This revelation came to light following a Chakeri patient’s test performed at a pathology centre near Hallet Hospital. That patient paid an amount of Rs 6000 for the required test.
Diagnosis of H1 N1 infection was further conducted at the medical college lab. The result remained positive. The testing for swine flu is free at government hospitals. The drawback is that the private lab does not have the facility of the real-time PCR test.
Despite the glaring flaws, several tests were carried on, as was reported, with the help of another machine. Sources said the health department officials were allegedly maintaining silence over the matter despite knowing the factual situation. When the private pathology centres have no permission for the test, it stands to be in direct contravention of the rules.
The tests are running only in the name of death-fear to the patients. The Rapid Test versus real-time reverse transcription chain reaction protocol and other molecular tests detect viral genetic material in respiratory samples. They are generally more sensitive and specific for the influenza virus than rapid antigen detection tests.
However, the directives for reporting and treatment of the swine flu are clearly defined. In the case of patients with the samples visit private hospital information to the rapid response team is a must. The test reports given by medical college are genuine, said Dr Ashok Shukla, CMO.
There are three types of flu viruses: A, B and C. Type A (highly contagious respiratory illness) and B ( found only in humans) cause the annual influenza epidemics that have up to 20 per cent of population sniffling, aching coughing, and running high fevers. These are the two main types of routinely spread in humans and cause seasonal flu epidemics. Type C also causes flu; however, its symptoms are much less severe.
