Swine Flu

As expected the H1N1 virus (swine flu) is spreading amongst the population, and as usual Trinidad and Tobago is in a state of unannounced panic. The swine flu has been around for a long time now, but this particular strain is new. Read about it on wiki. Honestly panic has risen inside me, its not actually contracting the flu that have me restless...its the state of our health care system ...no matter what the "wonderful" Jerry Narace says, the entire nation fully well know how awful the healthcare is. Therefore this treatable virus can turn deadly . While having dinner yesterday taking in the CNC3 news, many people were turned away from the different medical institutions because of 2 reasons, one there was not enough staff to handle the influx of visitors and the other being they were not considered being high priority cases. Let me expand on this point......when you go to the hospital/ clinic with flu symptoms, the nurse will ask you these simple 2 questions

1. Have you travelled recently to countries with the swine flu?
2. Have you been in contact with anyone who has swine flu?

If your answer is negative to each, a quick dismissal is what you are given instead of a real test. Yup this is how they determine whether or not you have swine flu or just the regular flu. So much was spent on the summit, while everything else is being neglected..... the future looks bleak as the Health care system will be pushed to its already dilapidated limit. One thing however can be sure private institutions and doctors are about to make a mint. The following are precautions that should be taken :

1. Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol sanitizer - this will kill most germs.
2. Avoid people who have a fever, cough, or sneezing, or complain of any flu-like symptoms
3. If you feel like you are developing flu symptoms, don't wait to see if it will just go away. Call your doctor or nurse practitioner and ask for advice or an appointment.( we know how this might go)
4. If you develop a fever of 100.5F or higher, call your doctor right away (day or night) and start drinking plenty of fluids. Stay well hydrated and get a diagnosis and treatment for whatever is causing your fever.
5. Stay home whenever possible.
6. When you cough and sneeze, cover your mouth and nose. Wash your hands afterwards.

And the symptoms are:

1. fever, which is usually high, but unlike seasonal flu, is sometimes absent
2. cough
3. runny nose or stuffy nose
4. sore throat
5. body aches
6. headache
7. chills
8. fatigue or tiredness, which can be extreme
9. diarrhea and vomiting, sometimes, but more commonly seen than with seasonal flu
10. Signs of a more serious swine flu infection might include pneumonia and respiratory failure.

Please take care of yourself and your family, especially young kids since their immune systems are not fully developed. Be safe and be blessed.