They recovered from the deadly flu only to face social ostracis
They recovered from the deadly flu only to face social ostracism
Santosh Sonavane
On July 8, Santosh Sonavane (16, name changed) returns from the US with high fever and a sore throat after an 11-month student exchange programme.
Back in Pune, on July 9, he is taken to Naidu Hospital, as his fever refuses to go away. He tests positive, as does his family.
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The next day, the maid quit her job. "We are all cured now, but our maid left us after she heard we were H1N1 affected and in hospital.
She told our relatives that she wouldu00a0 quit the job because she afraid she'd get it," said Sonavane.
Michaelu00a0Fonsecau00a0(name changed to protect his identity)
Fonseca lives in San Francisco and is training to be a pastor.
His family, however, stays in Pune and on June 23, he came down to get married.
But instead of a meet and greet and homecoming party, Fonseca went to Naidu Hospital to get himself tested for swine fly after a persistent sore throat and tested positive.
"I'm completely cured, but even after my discharge, my fiance's (they are married now) friends refused to be in the same room with me. The hype about the virus got to them," said Fonseca.
Rutuja Joglekar
A student of the Bal Shrikishan School, Rutuja Joglekar (15) was infected by Sonavane, who travelled home from the US on the same flight.
She was also part of the same student exchange programme. She was diagnosed with H1NI soon after her arrival in Pune on July 8. However, none of her family members were affected.
Her father said, "Her friends are avoiding her because their parents have warned them to stay away. It's not good for my child.
She can't infect anyone now, as she is completely cured. In fact, none of us were affected. I wish people would find out more about the virus before behaving like this."
The Mane family
Members of the Mane (name changed) family were affected after their son, Kunal, who is in Std VIII, was infected by the virus on July 18. Members of the family who tested positive as well as negative, were prescribed Tamiflu tablets.
The family has recovered, but the relatives avoid their place. Said a family member, "Our relatives don't come home, fearing they will get the flu.
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On holidays, we invited relatives over, but they told us to take rest and that they would visit us later. They are avoiding us. In fact, my child has started going out to play with friends, but people are still worried."
Avinash Khanna
An IT professional, Avinash Khanna (name changed) was infected on his way back from the US. On June 19, he got himself tested and was H1N1 positive.
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"Friends who know I had the flu, continue to stay away. Few understand that I cannot infect them anymore.
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Consequently, I have requested them not to reveal the fact that I had swine flu, or else, I would be entirely ostracised," said Khanna.
Coping with the Flu
Most of the swine flu patients are coping with this ostracism by hiding the fact that they had the flu. Many
have requested health departments to protect their identity.
Dr Avinash Dholvde, GP, former IMA president, said, "There is nothing to fear when patients are cured of the swine flu. You cannot get the virus from them."
Others are trying to educate people by making them understand that there is no adverse effect on people, once you are cured.
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