If you have flu like symptoms, it's best to report to a government-designated hospitals to rule out swine flu. As the virus spreads within the community, the best way to avoid complications is early detection.

From Wednesday onwards, most patients will not be quarantined in isolation wards. The government hopes more people will now come forward to get tested.

"We are trying to ease the norms so that people are not apprehensive about testing. If they don't have symptoms they can go home. The doctor will examine him and take a call whether the patient can go home. They can stay in home quarantine," said Vineet Chowdhry, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry.

The guidelines to manage the pandemic have been notified to all states and they also include private hospitals as well as private practitioners. In case private institutions come across patients with flu like symptoms, they must notify the government facility dealing with H1N1, irrespective of whether the patients travelled abroad or came into contact with an infected person.

Testing can only be done at designated government facilities. Private tests are not authorised and incorrect.

But with more and more people approaching private hospitals, the government is now planning to train the private sector to identify and manage H1N1 cases.

"We will be meeting the private sector hospitals next week to discuss training and case management," Chowdhary said.

With the arrival of the monsoon, the flu season has begun. And the government is anxious that swine flu cases are diagnosed and treated early to prevent tragic deaths like that of Reeda.