Anti - flu Kit
The last month or so has seen widespread community spread of H1N1 in Malaysia, a good two or three months after UK has achieved that status. Infection seems to cluster in schools and higher learning institutions where close interactions are common. As the virus relentlessly goes through its natural course, more at risk persons are being infected, resulting in some deaths. The first reported death was that of a student from a foreign country in late June 2009 and up to date, eight H1N1- confirmed deaths have been reported in the country and the number is going to climb.
Any death due to this novel virus is tragic . This is especially so in the case of a pregnant woman who had just delivered a live baby. Among our deaths are that of young children and this becomes a source of deep concern especially if there are no detectable risk factors like asthma, obesity or immune suppression.
Antiviral capsules
The decision to prescribe antivirals for those at risk with influenza symptoms at primary care level is wise. However, indiscriminate prescribing has the likelihood of the virus developing resistance and render the antiviral insensitive. It follows that an antiviral vigilance cannot be overemphasised.
On a lighter note, the fear of influenza A H1N1 virus is so irrational that some of the health personnel became depressed when they tested positive for the virus. One doctor was reported to break down in anguish when told she was positive. Ghee... this is not HIV for God's sake!
In most healthy people the infection is mild and it is better to be infected and develop antibodies against it and remain simultaneously and relatively symptom-free. When you test positive for the virus, practice self isolation and inform those around you to be extra-cautious till the danger period is over, about six to seven days from your onset of symptoms.
Finally, the anxiously- awaited vaccine specific for H1N1, is expected to alter the epidemiological course of this virus. Let's hope that it is both safe and effective.
Any death due to this novel virus is tragic . This is especially so in the case of a pregnant woman who had just delivered a live baby. Among our deaths are that of young children and this becomes a source of deep concern especially if there are no detectable risk factors like asthma, obesity or immune suppression.
Antiviral capsulesThe decision to prescribe antivirals for those at risk with influenza symptoms at primary care level is wise. However, indiscriminate prescribing has the likelihood of the virus developing resistance and render the antiviral insensitive. It follows that an antiviral vigilance cannot be overemphasised.
On a lighter note, the fear of influenza A H1N1 virus is so irrational that some of the health personnel became depressed when they tested positive for the virus. One doctor was reported to break down in anguish when told she was positive. Ghee... this is not HIV for God's sake!
In most healthy people the infection is mild and it is better to be infected and develop antibodies against it and remain simultaneously and relatively symptom-free. When you test positive for the virus, practice self isolation and inform those around you to be extra-cautious till the danger period is over, about six to seven days from your onset of symptoms.
Finally, the anxiously- awaited vaccine specific for H1N1, is expected to alter the epidemiological course of this virus. Let's hope that it is both safe and effective.
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5 comments:
I'm really not satisfied with MOH (Ministry of Health) nowadays. There are many negative news reported about the way of handling by our hospital (like delay in giving proper treatment, ask a pregnant woman, who tested positive with H1N1, to go back home and rest (from The Star...I don't have the link now)). But the MOH never mention about these kind of negative news / rumors about them.
Recent I notice that MOH advises us not to go to hot spot areas. But where are the hot spot areas? MOH refuses to disclose the hot spots. How to follow this MOH's advice?
China has started given the vaccine since July, but recently MOH's report said there is no vaccine yet in the world.
This current H1N1 situation in Malaysia really prove that our government or MOH are not capable in handling such pandemic.
Latest news from MOH said that Gov want to implement curfew.....after so much of pain and death, do you think MOH will inform people which are hot spots?
To me hot spots mean crowded areas like enclosed gatherings where people come in close contact and when infected person sneezes the virus, carries by droplets or aerosols is breathable by other people. So safer to stay away at least 1M from people who cough and sneeze.
I think the term hot spots have misled people to think that there are areas which report very high cases of H1N1 and active transmission is going on. If you follow proper personal protection method, you will not likely get it.
If people who have influenza-like illness (ILI) now would stay home, they will have helped to reduce transmission.
Malaysia is now in the "mitigation" or "protect" phase of the pandemic. Focus is now on identifying and early detection of at risk people who contract the virus and treat them vigorously to avoid unnecessary deaths.
This is a new virus whose behaviour is evolving. Scientists and doctors the world over are monitoring the virus closely for any new development especially as to its virulence. Current data in the UK and US seem to point out that it may well be running out its course though we may still need to be vigilant.
As far as the World Health Organisation (WHO) is concerned, the vaccine is still on trial and not yet passed for mass vaccination. I have yet to see the China vaccine report. The last I knew that WHO has asked China to donate some vaccine, once available, to poor countries.
As for MOH, I think they are doing the best they could. The problem may be due to communication and this could become problematic as new strategies are formulated to cope with the evolving virus. Another problem is that people tend to take this virus lightly and do not stay home for the obligatory seven days when they get infected. If they use tissues when they sneeze and that other people keep washing their hands after touching common surfaces, the virus would have stayed only with the infected person and get cleared by his immune system.
Look at Singapore, their citizens have learnt a bitter lessons from SARS and they all cooperate with the health authorities and as such their cases and number of deaths per 100,000 population are infinitesimal.
Our MOH did well during the more virulent SARS inter-regional outbreak in 2004 and there was not a single deaths.. we should congratulate MOH :)
Influenza H1N1 however are not that virulent but very efficient. Our problem started when people visiting UK, China, Hong Kong came back in June and remember the school children and the IPTA students, many are international.
Our people got through the SARS epidemic unscathed, that is why we take H1N1 for granted and thus suffer with high cases and rather high death rate. Quite sad really.
AC,
That was really one lengthy response from me! Hope I answer your questions... rather delayed.
Marcella,
Appreciate your detailed explanation.
Thanks
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