On July 18, Dr Upinderjit Kaur, head of the Department of Economics at Panjab University, had tested positive for swine flu. A month later, the 50-year-old professor is fully cured and wants to tell the country, which has since seen the virus claim several lives, there is no need to press the panic button if the treatment available is appropriate and timely.

Kaur was diagnosed with the H1N1 influenza after she developed symptoms of the disease on her return from Singapore. She had to stay in the isolation ward at the Government Multi-Specialty Hospital in Sector 16 for seven days, while her husband and daughter, along with the PU doctor who first examined her, were quarantined for the same period.

With flu deaths triggering scare among the people, especially patients awaiting reports, Dr Kaur says one should not harbour any negative thoughts. “I am carrying on with my normal routine ever since the Tamiflu treatment got over. I am fully cured now. The infection has not affected me in any way and I am as active as ever,” the HoD told Newsline after winding up her university work on Tuesday.

“After I learnt about my confirmed (flu) status, my entire emphasis was to make sure I stick to my doctor’s advice and get the appropriate treatment available. I did not react negatively to the situation at all and told myself that it is curable,” she added.

Emphasising on following instructions while quarantined, Dr Kaur said: “It is important to cooperate with doctors and follow their instructions. Our family strictly abided by the instructions when it was quarantined as it is in the interest of the entire community. Even after the seven-day home quarantine period was over, we preferred not to socialise for another three to four days as a precautionary measure.”

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