‘I couldn’t even complete a sentence’: Cancer survivor battles Swine Flu amid Delhi surge

On August 18, 30-year-old Tabarigum entered Apollo Hospital in Jasola for a routine check-up following his chemotherapy. A bone-marrow biopsy revealed no signs of leukaemia, indicating his treatment was working well. However, tests for his respiratory symptoms later came back positive for H1N1 influenza. Given that Delhi's immune system had been significantly weakened by chemotherapy, the timing was particularly concerning.

Delhi has reported 1,777 H1N1 cases this year, with 114 new cases on August 20 alone. Health authorities have reviewed hospital readiness and issued advisories on prevention and early treatment.

Tabarigum, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) earlier this year while preparing to donate blood for his mother, who was being treated for ovarian cancer. He began induction chemotherapy, an intensive treatment aimed at eliminating leukaemia cells and inducing remission. Chemotherapy can suppress the body's ability to fight infections, especially when white blood cell and neutrophil counts drop.

The infection initially presented as a cold with a runny nose, fever, and cough. However, the cough became severe, making it difficult for Tabarigum to complete a sentence without coughing. Upon arrival at Apollo Hospital, doctors found his total leukocyte and absolute neutrophil counts were very low. Dr Chatterjee, an internal medicine specialist at Apollo Hospital, treated him. Despite requiring minimal oxygen support, Tabarigum was placed in an isolation room for five days. He has now made a full recovery.

For patients undergoing cancer treatment, the risk of severe influenza complications, including pneumonia and hospitalization, is higher. Dr Chatterjee warns that even mild symptoms should prompt immediate contact with the treating medical team rather than waiting for symptoms to worsen. Early assessment can help determine if influenza testing, antiviral treatment, or hospital care is necessary.

While antiviral treatment with oseltamivir can be beneficial when started early, vaccination remains an important preventive measure for eligible individuals, though the immune response to vaccination may be reduced during some cancer treatments. Preventive measures for families caring for someone with suppressed immunity include avoiding close contact with those who are unwell, practicing good hand and respiratory hygiene, using masks in crowded or high-risk settings when advised, and seeking medical advice promptly when symptoms appear.