RAWALPINDI, Jan 21: The Holy Family Hospital has received a swine flu suspected patient.

The 45-year-old Tasleem, wife of Mohammad Khalid, a resident of Pirwadhai, arrived in the hospital Saturday night with the complaints of flu.

“Her pathological test done at a private laboratory declared her a swine flu patient. However, we have sent her samples to the National Institute of Health (NIH) for confirmation,” said Dr Javed Hayat, the in-charge of the infectious diseases unit at the hospital.

He said the patient was showing symptoms similar to that of swine or bird flu. She has been kept in a special ward and her condition is critical. “We will not declare her a swine flu patient until we get the confirmation report from the NIH,” he said. The report will come in three to four days.

“The symptoms of swine flu (H1N1) influenza include flu, sore throat and respiratory problems like difficulty in breathing. In most cases, the symptoms are mild and subside within a few days. Those who have bad flu, difficulty in breathing, drowsiness or blood in the sputum should see a doctor,” said Dr Hayat.

He said the hospital had informed the health department about the case.

The hospital has also taken all precautionary measures to save other patients from the disease, he added.

However, another doctor at the hospital, who did not want to be named, said the administration of the biggest hospital of the city had taken no such precautionary measures.

“The doctors, nurses and staff are not informed about the patient admitted to medical ward-II. It will be dangerous as swine flu and such diseases spread to other humans during direct contacts,” said the doctor.

He said the government should allocate a special room or ward instead of keeping such suspected patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The provincial government is busy in polio campaigns and has ignored such epidemics, he remarked.

Executive District Officer (health) Dr Zafar Iqbal Gondal was not available for comment.