IMA-MoH Guidelines on Chemoprophylaxis for Swine-Flu:

Chemoprophylaxis with oseltamivir either for short duration (10 days) or of long duration (42 days) protect the individual till such time he is on Chemoprophylaxis. In a community where there is rampant spread of pandemic Influenza A H1N1, the risk of getting the infection exists the moment a person is taken off Chemoprophylaxis. As prophylaxis cannot be continued in perpetuity, the following recommended:

• If the States qualify the criteria for community spread, then Chemoprophylaxis would only be provided to family contacts that are at high risk and especially those with comorbid condition.
   
  • The prophylaxis to the high risk family contact would be provided irrespective of laboratory testing  i.e. any high risk contact of patients in category A, B or C would be provided Chemoprophylaxis.
     
  • The doctors screening the patients and categorizing them as A,B,C would invariably take the history of high risk contacts among the family members of these suspect cases and persuade them to attend screening centres.
     
• Irrespective of whether there is a community spread or not medical personnel attending to influenza A H1N1 cases in dedicated treatment facilities would be put on Chemoprophylaxis to a maximum of 42 days.