Don't panic about Swine flu

We all know that panicking never did anyone any good; it only makes things worse. Communication becomes blurred, meaning is lost and rash unwise decisions are made. This is what is happening right now in our country and in the rest of the world. Despite genuine attempts on behalf of medical professionals to correctly inform the public about Swine ‘flu (the H1N1 virus), the message has been lost in the fray.

Lucille Blumberg, Head of Epidemiology at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NCID), informs us that H1N1 is by no means a ‘deadly' virus: "If you look at the death rate and complication rate, it is not more dangerous than seasonal ‘flu. I think it is important for people to know that seasonal ‘flu does cause severe illness, like pneumonia. You do get complications from seasonal ‘flu and people die every year from seasonal ‘flu."

According to NICD, there are in fact more cases of seasonal influenza than H1N1 in the country at the moment. The reason why Swine ‘flu has become a concern is simply because it is a new virus and people are not immune to it as they largely are to other established ‘flu viruses to which they have already had exposure. However, as with seasonal ‘flu, H1N1 should not be treated lightly.

Swine ‘flu presents with a number of ordinary ‘flu symptoms such as fever, headache, respiratory infection and cough, and runny nose. H1N1 has also differed from seasonal flu in some of its symptoms; cases of chest pains, diarrhoea and nausea have been recorded. Some patients have felt the symptoms intensely while others have experienced mild illness.

It has been generally agreed that on presenting with the above symptoms you should consult with your General Practitioner (GP) before rushing to the hospital or attempting to purchase oseltamivir (Tamiflu), the H1N1 medication. While some doctors have prescribed Tamiflu without confirmation of infection, others agree that taking the medication when you are not sick with swine ‘flu only puts you at future risk. The more frequently you take medication, even if it's just once, the more of a resistance your body will build against that medication. This means that if you do actually become infected with swine ‘flu at a time when you really are in need of Tamiflu, it will not be as effective as it should. In the same way, a good doctor would never recommend the precautionary administration of an anti-biotic to a patient, as it would considerably lower their ability to recover from illness.

NICD advises that the most effective way to avoid H1N1 infection is to follow the usual preventative measures a little more stringently. Concentrate on washing your hands regularly and thoroughly, increase your fluid intake, and increase your vitamin C and B intake. Last but not least, do the sensible things your mother always told you to: dress warmly, eat your vegetables, and go to bed early!