Influenza Like Illness – warning signs
Influenza like illness – who should come to hospital?
What you are about to read is a very important thing. If you have not read this anywhere else, please bear with me and read this message till the end.
Terminology:
Influenza like illness is defined as fever (>38 degree Celsius) + cough + sore throat (all 3 symptoms should be present in the absence of any other known cause like asthma, tonsillitis, etc)
Closed contact is defined as who is standing within 3 feet of an ill person who is a confirmed or suspected case of influenza A virus infection (for 2 hours duration or longer).
The warning signs
Up to 29/7/09, 169 573 cases have been reported with 1125 death involving 159 countries all over the world. Currently in Malaysia, the case of influenza A H1N1 is no longer come in a single case, they come in clusters instead. This means that they come in a large group. The hospitals can no longer bear the burden and we really need public awareness about this disease. First of all please do not panic. Not everyone with influenza like illness should come to hospital because you will only end up increase the hospital load and paramedics won’t be able to provide the best service for those who really in need. We are no longer screening everyone or giving treatment to everybody. However, please do not misunderstand. This message doesn’t mean that we do not care about the society. The burden is now too much and we need the public to share the responsibility of taking care of our health and helping us to combat with this flu pandemic. Whoever has the symptoms of influenza like illness should apply the cough etiquette wherever they are and remember to stay about 3 feet away from people around you to prevent spreading.
If you happen to have influenza like illness, don’t worry, influenza is self limiting and if you only have mild illness, you will be fine in 7 days time, but if you have moderate to severe illness, you should come to hospital so we can treat you. If you have influenza like illness and have the symptoms below, please do not delay to seek medical attention because any delay in management may be means fatal. It is mandatory for you to present to the nearest hospital or clinic especially if you have co-morbidities and high risk factors. The symptoms are:
1. Respiratory difficulties like shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
2. Purple or blue discoloration of the lips
3. Cough up blood (hemoptysis) either huge amount or blood streak in sputum
4. Persistent chest pain
5. Severe and persistent vomiting and diarrhea
6. Prolong or persistent fever more than 3 days
7. Abnormal behavior, confusion or fit
8. Dizziness when standing, reduce urine output
Co- morbidities and risk factors:
If you have influenza like illness and have these risk factors, you have to be extra careful and have a low threshold to seek medical attention especially in the presence of the warning signs that I have mentioned earlier.
· Chronic respiratory condition (for example asthma and chronic obstructive airway disease)
· Pregnant lady (during 2nd and 3rd trimester)
· Morbid obesity
· Cardiac disease (for example cardiac failure)
· Chronic diseases (for example diabetes mellitus and renal failure)
· Immunosuppressant (for example those who has cancer, HIV/AIDS or on prolong steroids therapy)
· Extreme age group: more than 65 years old or less than5 years old
Your cooperation is highly appreciated. No matter wherever you are and whatever you are doing, please spread this very important message. Thank you.
Tags: cough blood, diabetes mellitus, diarrhea, H1N1, heart failure, influenza, pregnant, renal failure, shortness of breath, vomiting
Technorati Tags: cough blood, diabetes mellitus, diarrhea, H1N1, heart failure, influenza, pregnant, renal failure, shortness of breath, vomiting
thank for share
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regard…
Thanks for sharing this post!
HIV/AIDS