Clinics, hospitals on high alert for pneumonia cases

[kiwibird]

Thursday July 30, 2009
Clinics, hospitals on high alert for pneumonia cases

PUTRAJAYA: Medical practitioners at clinics and hospitals must be on high alert on the possibility of pneumonia cases being caused by the H1N1 virus.

This was one of eight recommendations by the National Pandemic Preparedness Plan technical committee yesterday.

?Some doctors leave it to nurses to take specimens. Doctors must take them themselves. It involves diligence, responsibility and professionalism,? Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said.

He said that in the most recent case, the doctor had a ?low index of suspicion? of H1N1 when the patient had severe pneumonia with c-morbid factors.

?After four deaths, doctors should be more alert,? he said, adding that doctors must get the patient?s medical history.

Dr Ismail said pneumonia cases, particular severe ones, should be tested for the flu virus as the illness could lead to pneumonia among ?vulnerable groups? such as diabetics and people who were obese, those with chronic respiratory problems and low immunity.

Other recommendations:

> Severe pneumonia patients should have throat swabs taken for H1N1 and begin anti-viral treatment.

> Suspected severe pneumonia cases caused by H1N1 should be given a double dose of anti-viral treatment, which is 150mg BD for five days.

> Influenza light illness (ILI) cases can be treated at home but symptoms of pneumonia such as breathing difficulties, chest pain and patients? alertness level should be monitored.

> Laboratory tests for H1N1 to be extended to hospitals at state level.

> Twenty-one private hospitals have been supplied with anti-viral drugs.

Health Ministry statistics showed that as of yesterday, the number of reported H1N1 cases stood at 1,266, including the four deaths. Local infections have surpassed imported cases with 692 and 574 cases respectively.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/7/30/nation/4415537&sec=nation

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Clinics, hospitals on high alert for pneumonia cases

Pregnant woman and eight others very ill
Sat, Aug 01, 2009
The New Straits Times




Pregnant woman and eight others very ill

2009/07/31

KUALA LUMPUR: Nine victims of influenza A (H1N1) are fighting for their lives.

Among them are two youths who are obese, a pregnant woman and one with low immunity.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said doctors were doing their best to save these victims who were admitted to the intensive care units of designated H1N1 hospitals with complications.

"Malaysians who are in the high- risk category such as suffering from diabetes, upper respiratory tract infection, cancer, obesity and pregnant women must see a doctor on the very onset of flu-like symptoms," he said.

Dr Ismail said it was sad that many Malaysians chose to go to hospitals only when their conditions worsened.

Urging Malaysians not to take the pandemic lightly, he said if they did not fall under the high-risk category, did not have contact with a H1N1 victim or had not travelled overseas, they could take paracetamol and adequate rest at home or see a doctor and get appropriate medication.

"If the fever does not subside and if you develop other symptoms, go immediately to the nearest hospital."

Dr Ismail, however, called on Malaysians not to panic unnecessarily and to insist on throat swabs.

He also called on doctors to pay more attention to and take throat swabs of those with flu-like symptoms, those in the vulnerable and high-risk groups, having pneumonia and complications.

As for the latest update, Dr Ismail said 69 new cases were reported, including that of a student from China.
http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Malaysia/Story/A1Story20090801-158395.html