Swine flu: 3 suspects in critical condition at RML

Three of the seven suspected swine flu patients admitted to the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) hospital are in a critical condition.

Three of the seven suspected swine flu patients admitted to the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) hospital are in a critical condition.

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“Three persons with suspected swine flu symptoms admitted to the hospital are in a critical state and have been shifted to the ICU (intensive care unit),” said Dr NK Chaturvedi, Medical Superintendent, RML.

While a 48-year-old man from Panchsheel was admitted to the hospital on Thursday, the other two — a 30-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman —were shifted on Friday from Karnal and Faridabad (both in Haryana) respectively.

“All of them were brought to the hospital with symptoms of high fever and breathlessness,” said Dr Chaturvedi, adding that the condition of the patients was deteriorating when they were brought to the hospital.

While the patient from Delhi came to the RML almost after eight days of running high temperature, the two others were brought from private hospitals on ventilator support. “By the time they came to us they had lost almost 10 precious days,” said Dr Chaturvedi.

“They should be taken to the nearest identified government hospital rather than making them travel all the way to the RML. So much time is wasted,” he said.

According to doctors, while the lungs of all the three patients have stopped functioning almost completely, the 48-year-old has developed renal failure.

On Saturday, Pune reported four deaths and Bangalore reported one taking India’s H1N1 fatalities to 53.