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| I wonder why in other developed nations, qualified medical doctors are the ones giving announcements and details about H1N1 but in our country, politicians are the ones making the announcement. Sometimes I wonder if they even know what they are dealing with. I have a son who is only five and is a chronic bronchitis sufferer. We live in Kota Kemuning and we experience hazy conditions everyday. My son’s life is at stake! And so are many other asthmatic patients, chronic bronchitis patients, young children with low immune system etc. Each day I will search all papers hoping to get some leads as to how I can build as many defence mechanisms as I can for my son. And all I get is the feeling like I am searching for answers in a dark room, totally helpless and in despair. Then, one good Samaritan gave me a very important lead which might perhaps save my son’s life and I am sharing this with as many people as I can. Not all who gets H1N1 gets pneumonia but all who died of H1N1 gets pneumonia. So, we should focus on how we can prevent pneumonia if we get H1N1 not how to prevent H1N1. For those in the high risk group, getting pneumococcal vaccination is one of the defense mechanisms we could use against dying from H1N1. You might still get H1N1 but at least you have 30% lower risk of dying from H1N1. Studies have shown here that 30% of H1N1 pneumonia related deaths are due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. Getting yourself vaccinated means you have eliminated 30% of the possible risk of dying from H1N1 pneumonia. Of course, that does not mean you will not get H1N1 but at least you will not die of it, that’s what everyone would prefer. It’s really not about being afraid of getting H1N1, it’s more about dying from it. So if the government is serious in preventing H1N1 deaths, all those in the high risk group should get pneumococcal vaccination. Also, please ensure that all clinics are able to administer this vaccination to adults as well and not only to children. |
MSIAN INSIDER mentioned DG said all doctors to suspect ALL CASES of fever and flu/cough as H1N1,what does he mean?
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Selva,
As usual, he’s just tokking cock, while playing politics. There is no way that doctors can treat all cases of flu as Influenza A.
I for one DON’T believe that the deaths reported are DUE TO H1N1. Reports usually state – “related to” H1N1. IMR isn’t equipped to handle so many RT-PCR confirmatory tests. Moreover H1N1 isn’t deadly and is like any other seasonal influenza (which has killed much more).
Moreover, I think there is a political agenda to divert attention from the Dengue epidemic killing hundreds, the political and economic state of affairs as managed by BN. They’re creating more hype than necessary so as to distract the people from events around the BN administration – and Ismail Merican is just playing along to create a panic.
He being a politician these days, I suggest that his press statements are taken with a pinch of belacan .
The initial mistake of rushing all patients to General Hospitals showed not only sheer incompetence but rather blatant negligence. As the days roll by, it is becoming more and more evident that this Ministry is completely caught napping. Basically the MOH has collapsed and the people have to bail it out, not the other way round.
I think the nation has suffered enough and this Ministry has basically run its course unsuccessfully in trying to stem this disease.
It’s time to shut down the country. Duit boleh dicari. Nyawa jangan digadai.
My deepest condolences to all the patients who are in ICU and to the relatives who have lost their loved ones. Contrary to the propaganda, this illness is killing a significant number of healthy individuals with no underlying disease. This DG is lying through his teeth.
This catastrophe could have been avoided. Those who have worked in critical care units dealing with serious infections almost all their lives will know that preventive measures are always there. It is the strict implementation and enforcement that is usually lacking.
Worse still …there is clearly no foresight nor vision…Queensland alone in Australia has ordered another 44 ventilators last week. Contrary to the Dg’s statement, the Aussies, Thais, Brits are all distributing the Tamiflu quickly. Anyone with risks are being given the drug, even to prevent them…What’s the use of giving it to governmentclinics when almost 60% of all patients are going to GP clinics. Is he expecting them to cough up the 200 bucks for the drug or wait in line at GH to get even sicker or to be told everying is OK again.
The DG’s fear of resistance developing does not hold water because for one we dont have the drug and 2. by the time we administer it, half the country would be dead.
It’s time we called in the Singapore or Thai Health Minister to manage this Malaysia crisis….
Najib…where are you!!!!!….Stop playing politics and focus on this our Health Minister qualification is not even a pharmacist, he is only a Nutritionist as he couldn’t study Medicine.. as quoted from Wikipedia. he is a strong advocate for organic food and eating healthily. truly a sad case for us Malangsial people..it seems tht the GH are hording all the Tamiflu and couldn’t find the bug/virus and administer the drugs antibiotics to all the critical patients which some cant take it ..
Once again Malaysian’s fall victim to the sheer incompetence of 3rd class politician ministers, and a DG who is more focused on medical obfuscation of wrongful death crimes.
LONDON: Since swine flu first emerged in April, it has sparked panic, vaccine production and now, a videogame. In an effort to further raise
awareness, Dutch researchers have created a game that challenges players to control a new pandemic. “It is actually what is happening now, what is happening in the real world,” said Albert Osterhaus, head of virology at the Erasmus Medical Center, who designed ‘The Great Flu’ game with colleagues.
NEW DELHI: With swine flu cases continuing to rise sharply, the Union Health Ministry on Saturday issued fresh guidelines specifying screening
and testing module for patients to contain the disease in the country.
The guidelines were finalised at a high-level meeting chaired by the Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad last night in connection with the various actions taken by the government for containment and mitigation of H1N1 cases across the country.
During the meeting that lasted for more than five hours till 10 pm last night, the Health Minister also discussed various guidelines and protocols developed by the World Health Organisation in Geneva, Centre for DiseasePrevention and Control, Atlanta, USA and National Health Service, United Kingdom.
The meeting was attended by eminent experts from public and private hospitals/organisations besides senior officers of Health Ministry and Directorate General of Health Services.
As per guidelines, all individuals seeking consultation for flu-like symptoms would be screened at healthcare facilities — both government and private — or examined by a doctor and will be categorised broadly under three categories A, B and C depending on their health status, as per an official release here.
They will be given treatment and isolated as specified in the guidelines.
Patients with mild fever plus cough/sore throat with or without body ache, headache, diarrhoea and vomiting will be categorised as Category-A. They do not require Oseltamivir and should be treated for the symptoms mentioned above.
The patients should be monitored for their progress and reassessed after 24 to 48 hours by the doctor. For this category, no testing of the patient for H1N1 is required. Patients should confine themselves at home and avoid mixing up with public and high risk members in the family.
Category B has two subcategories. Category BI is for those patients, who have high grade fever and severe sore throat in addition to all the signs and symptoms mentioned under Category-A. They may require home isolation and Oseltamivir.
Category BII is for those, who have in addition to all the signs and symptoms mentioned under Category-A are having one or more of the following high risk conditions like children less than 5-years-old, pregnant women, persons aged 65 years or older, patients with lung diseases, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, blood disorders, diabetes, neurological disorders, cancer and HIV/AIDS, patients on long term cortisone therapy. They shall be treated with Oseltamivir but no tests for H1N1 is required for Category-B (I) and (II).
However, all patients of Category-B (I) and (II) should confine themselves at home and avoid mixing with public and high risk members in the family.
In category C, those patients fall, who in addition to the above signs and symptoms of Category-A and B, have one or more of the following problems like breathlessness, chest pain, drowsiness, fall in blood pressure, sputum mixed with blood, bluish discolouration of nails, irritability among small children, refusal to accept food, worsening of underlying chronic conditions.
All these patients mentioned above in Category-C require testing, immediate hospitalisation and treatment.
The release said that these guidelines will be reviewed and revised from time to time as per need and on the basis of spread of the disease.
QnA: How would one know whether they have swine flu?
QnA: Is the Indian healthcare system equipped sufficiently to tackle swine flu?
QnA: Is the media making the country paranoid about Swine Flu?
The game can be played online at www.thegreatflu.com and it is free. The game begins with images of bedridden patients and graveyards from the 1918 Spanish flu. As the head of the fictitious “World Pandemic Control,” players pick a flu strain, and then have to monitor that strain’s spread around the world.
WHO has reported nearly 178,000 cases of swine flu including 1,462 deaths worldwide, though those numbers are believed to be a gross underestimate of the actual, since hard-hit countries no longer test all cases with flu-like symptoms. As the virus spreads worldwide, countries are trying different methods to slow it down and pharmaceutical companies are now racing to produce a swine flu vaccine.
In the game, to fight the emerging outbreak, players use measures including setting up surveillance systems, stockpiling antivirals and vaccines, and closing schools and airports. Players also have a limited budget and are warned that “your actions to control the virus cost money, so keep an eye on it.”
Also, a running tally of the numbers of people infected and those who have died sit above the budget. Newspaper stories about the deadly virus and the global response to it – like riots breaking out worldwide – pop up to help players monitor the outbreak. Messages from governments mirror the difficulties faced by international agencies like WHO. For instance, when players set up costly surveillance systems, the game often relays a message from governments that “we will comply with your directions,” but we must inform you that the political support for this action is low in this region. Therefore, the effectiveness of the system may differ from your expectations.”
Osterhaus said the video game’s approximation of combating a pandemic, choosing between various interventions yet still watching the outbreak spread, gives people a sense of how difficult it is to make decisions in the public health world.
Are the rising swine flu casualties giving you jitters? Not sure how you can avoid falling prey to the growing epidemic? First and foremost,
there is absolutely no need to panic.
Watching television to keep tabs on the progress of H1N1, particularly in the badly affected areas like Pune, is all right. But don’t let the hysterical anchors get under your skin and start wearing a mask each time you step out of the house, unless you are visiting a very crowded area. Then too, the mask will protect you only for a specified period.
Without giving in to the swine flu panic and creating a stockpile of Tamiflu and N-95 masks at home and enriching pharma companies, there are a number of other measures you can take to ensure that the virus is not able to get you, irrespective of which part of the world you are in.
It is essential to remember that all kinds of viruses and bacteria can attack you when your immune systemis weak, or they can weaken it easily. Hence, building your own defences would be a better, more practical, long-lasting and much more economical idea.
Here are some easy steps you can take to tackle a flu virus of any kind, including swine flu. It is not necessary to follow all the steps at once. You can pick and choose a combination of remedies that suit you best. However, if you are already suffering from flu, these measures can help only up to an extent. And, if you have been infected by H1N1, visiting a hospital and staying in solitary confinement is a must.
1. Have five duly washed leaves of Tulsi (known as Basil in English; medicinal name Ocimum sanctum) everyday in the morning. Tulsi has a large number of therapeutic properties. It keeps throat and lungs clear and helps in infections by way of strengthening your immunity.
2. Giloi (medicinal name Tinospora cordifolia) is a commonly available plant in many areas. Take a one-foot long branch ofgiloi, add five to six leaves of Tulsiand boil in water for 15-20 minutes or long enough to allow the water to extract its properties. Add black pepper and sendha (salt used during religious fasts), rock or black salt, or Misri (crystalised sugar like lumps to make it sweet) according to taste. Let it cool a bit and drink this kadha (concoction) while still warm. It will work wonders for your immunity. If giloi plant is not available, get processed giloi powder from Hamdard or others, and concoct a similar drink once a day.
3. A small piece of camphor (kapoor) approximately the size of a tablet should be taken once or twice a month. It can be swallowed with water by adults while children can take it along with mashed potatoes or banana because they will find it difficult to have it without any aides. Please remember camphor is not to be taken everyday, but only once each season, or once a month.
4. Those who can take garlic, must have two pods of raw garlic first thing in the morning. To be swallowed daily with lukewarm water. Garlic too strengthens immunity like the earlier measures mentioned.
5. Those not allergic to milk, must take a glass of hot or lukewarm milk every night with a small measure ofhaldi (turmeric).
6. Aloe vera (gwarpatha) too is a commonly available plant. Its thick and long, cactus-like leaves have an odourless gel. A teaspoon gel taken with water daily can work wonders for not only your skin and joint pains, but also boost immunity.
7. Take homeopathic medicines — Pyrogenium 200 and Inflenzium 200 in particular — five tablets three times a day, or two-three drops three times a day. While these are not specifically targeted at H1N1 either, these work well as preventive against common flu virus.
8. Do Pranayam daily (preferably under guidance if you are already not initiated into it) and go for morning jog/walk regularly to keep your throat and lungs in good condition and body in fine fettle. Even in small measures, it will work wonders for your body’s resistance against all such diseases which attack the nose, throat and lungs, besides keeping you fit.
9. Have citrus fruits, particularly Vitamin C rich Amla (Indian gooseberry) juice. Since fresh Amla is not yet available in the market (not for another three to four months), it is not a bad idea to buy packaged Amlajuice which is commonly available nowadays.
10. Last but not the least, wash your hands frequently every day with soap and warm water for 15-20 seconds; especially before meals, or each time after touching a surface that you suspect could be contaminated with flu virus such as a door handle or a knob/handle, especially if you have returned from a public place or used public transport. Alcohol-based hand cleaners should be kept handy at all times and used until you can get soap and warm water.
(The author is an avid reader and follower of alternative therapies including spiritual healing, ayurveda, yoga and homeopathy)
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