Agonised parents of Abhinav school appeal to teachers, students and other parents for a more considerate approach towards those infected from swine flu at a meeting organised by the PMC

Ramit Sharma (name changed), a class five student of Abhinav school was asked to sit separately by his coaching class teacher because he had a cold. Everyone suspected that he had swine flu.

The going is tougher for parents whose children have tested positive for swine flu. "We are worried about the health of our children and also have to cope with being blamed for spreading the infection. Parents, whose children are being tested for swine flu point towards us and our kids, as if we have spread the disease," said a parent whose child was tested positive for the H1N1 and admitted tou00a0 Naidu hospital.

Rattled by the 14 confirmed cases of swine flu virus in the school, about 2,000 parents met health officials, who have directed the school to shut the school till Sunday. "I request all parents, students and teachers to treat our children as one would treat any other, once it is clear that they are free of the swine flu virus," said a parent, whose son has been admitted to Naidu hospital.

Another parent, whose daughter was admitted tou00a0Naidu Hospital appealed to other parents to use two weapons a humane heart, and other of social responsibility by keeping social distance if they feel their children are not well. "We must do this if we want to arrest the spread of the virus," she reasoned.u00a0

Dr R R Katti, additional director general of the health department, government of Maharashtra, told MiD DAY, "There is no reason to panic. We have traced those who came in contacts with the infected students and asked them to isolate themselves from others for eight days. Individuals who displayed symptoms of swine flu in this period were tested for H1N1, and those who tested positive have been admitted to Naidu hospital."