KARACHI (APP) - Pakistan is fortunately among the few countries with almost nil cases of Swine Flu or Influenza A (H1N1), however, remains at risk with no less than 122 countries, including the next door India, inflicted with it. Doctors talking to APP on Monday advised people not to be panicked as until now influenza A (H1N1) mainly causes moderate illness. They referred to recent WHO communications reiterating that most people who catch influenza A (H1N1) will recover without needing medicines and will make a full recovery. A person should seek medical care if they experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or if a fever continues more than three days, said Dr. Azhar Ibrahim, a senior private practitioner. General Secretary, PMA -Karachi, Dr. Samrina Hashmi urged people to realise extreme relevance of precaution and observed that there were several things that people in general and parents in particular do to reduce the risk of catching flu, seasonal as well as variants. She advised people to clean hands thoroughly with soap and water, or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub on a regular basis (especially if touching the mouth and nose, or surfaces that are potentially contaminated). Children and elederly must be sensitised to avoid touching their mouth and nose. We must also avoid close contact with people who might be ill and reduce the time spent in crowded settings if possible, said Dr. Hashmi. According to her improved airflow in living space by opening windows and practicing good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active are also extremely relevant. Another preventative measure is the use of anti-viral medicines, said Dr. Azhar Ibrahim. The doctor mentioned that some governments have already been stockpiling for several years. With specific reference to vaccine for H1N1, said some governments have chosen to purchase the influenza A (H1N1) vaccine in development. In face of Swine Flu pandemic that has engulfed 122 countries and affected no less than 94,500 people, he said vaccines and anti-virals are extremely relevant. He particularly referred to GSK that has focussed in the development of vaccines for the influenza A (H1N1) strain of flu and the increased production of the anti-viral. The senior doctor said different pharmaceutical companies have started development and production of the new influenza vaccine and increased the production of antiviral medicines. This perhaps is needed and is also relevant for our country where people in next few months time would be leaving for Hajj, he said. It would be pertinent to mention that flu has been making headlines across the world, since 2006 as the world was put on alert with cases of avian (H5N1) influenza witnessed in the Middle East and South East Asia causing illness and deaths in about 14 countries. The reality is that we are used to outbreaks of flu every winter. The so-called seasonal flu is a serious condition especially for those who are susceptible or weakened by other illnesses or old age. Each year flu vaccine manufacturers create a vaccine that helps to protect against the most likely strains of seasonal flu and this is usually given to people at risk before or at the beginning of the annual flu season.