Play safe, say doctors

H1N1 FLU
Consult a doctor as soon as symptoms appear, rather than self-medicate

EVELINE GAN, eveline@mediacorp.com.sg
 

WHEN it comes to minor ailments such as colds and sore throats, most Singaporeans generally adopt the "wait and see" approach.

And even if the symptoms persist, over two-thirds (67 per cent) will put up with their discomfort before they resort to self-medicating. This is according to an online survey conducted on 500 Singaporeans by The Nielsen Company in partnership with the Association of The European Self-Medication Industry (AESGP) last year.

But as Singapore raised its pandemic alert level on Influenza A (H1N1) to Orange last week, general practitioners Today spoke to urged Singaporeans to "play safe" (see "The fight against H1N1" box opposite). See a doctor, even if the symptoms seem minor.

Said Dr Rupert See, a senior physician at Raffles Medical: "At this point in time it is possible that anyone can come down with a flu infection, so it is better to consult your doctor as soon as you have any symptom, rather than self-medicate."

Added Dr Baskaran Surendran, a family physician at Healthway Medical's Silver Cross Clinic (Marsiling): "The smallest sign of fever or a sore throat should be assessed by a doctor. Even if it seems like paranoia, it's better to be safe and on the alert."

By now, most Singaporeans would be aware of what symptoms to look out for in the H1N1 flu. One in three carriers does not display any symptoms.

The rest may experience symptom similar to the regular flu — fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue and breathlessness. Occasionally, diarrhoea and vomiting may also occur.

But the "critical difference" at this point of time would be the patient's travel history or contact with a probable case in the previous seven days, said Dr Surendran.

So, what happens if your family doctor suspects you may have swine flu?

"The MOH directive is to send all suspected cases via a dedicated ambulance to the Communicable Diseases Centre for further tests," said Dr See.

This means, until an ambulance arrives, you will be masked up and isolated from everyone else.
Your doctor will also inform MOH of the suspected case.

As of yesterday, 27 cases have been referred for further medical assessment.

While there are no confirmed local cases of the H1N1 flu, hospitals here are already preparing for the worst as they began freeing up hospital beds last week, among other precautionary measures such as temperature checks and allowing only one visitor per patient.

MOH has also advised those who have been to the affected countries to avoid crowded places for seven days after they return, as a third of H1N1 flu virus carriers do not show any symptoms.

Those who have been to Mexico in the last seven days will be quarantined for a week upon their return to Singapore.

From TODAY, Health – Tuesday, 05-May-2009