Don’t panic, urged health authorities as a tiny new bug which entered the country on June 15 began its “community spread” affecting a large number of people including schoolchildren this month.
The community spread of H1N1 influenza has begun, as expected but all systems are in place, said the Public Health Deputy Director-General Dr. Palitha Mahipala, adding that it is a mild viral disease like any other flu, with some people being even asymptomatic (not having symptoms).
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| The notice at the entrance to the IDH. |
But be alert for complications and see a qualified doctor, he says.
Explaining that health officials are fanning out to each and every school talking to principals, teachers and students on how to prevent H1N1 from spreading and what should be done if they do catch it, Dr. Mahipala said the Ministry of Education has also been requested to send the message through their channels to schools.
All hospitals and medical personnel have been informed how to deal with people who have contracted H1N1, he said, explaining that those suffering from mild forms will be treated at the outpatients department (OPD) for their symptoms, advised what to do and sent home, while only those with complications will be admitted to hospital and treated with anti-viral medication.
Even the major private hospitals can request the medication and the Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Athula Kahandaliyanage has instructed the Director of the Private Health Sector to issue guidelines when to use the medication while making arrangements with the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) to issue the supplies, it is learnt.
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| Dr. Wijewickrema |
General Practitioners (GPs) too can treat patients with H1N1, only referring to hospital those with complications, said Dr. Mahipala.
“We succeeded in containing H1N1 for a while, taking precautions such as strong surveillance at the airport through the installation of thermal scanners and deployment of Public Health Inspectors round-the clock and then isolating suspected patients at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), confirming the diagnosis through laboratory testing and treating them,” he said, adding that up to October 15, 115 H1N1-affected people have been detected through the airport surveillance mechanism.
The first patient with H1N1 in Sri Lanka was a child who arrived from Australia in June, though the virus had invaded Mexico end June and spread across the world, making the World Health Organization to sound the pandemic alarm.
Death due to a brain
problem
A child who died at a private hospital last week, though found positive for H1N1, most probably succumbed to a brain problem and not due to the virus, the Sunday Times understands.
A full inquiry is being held into the death to ascertain the cause.
So far there have been no deaths due to H1N1in Sri Lanka. |
This “containment” in Sri Lanka delayed its rapid spread which is inevitable at some point, the Sunday Times learns, allowing the country to get its infrastructure in place such as setting up sentinel sites inclusive of isolation facilities at 20 major hospitals across the country and upgrading the Medical Research Institute with regard to testing facilities and stocking the reagents.
The community spread was suspected when children from the Lyceum international school fell ill, it is learnt, with Dr. Mahipala explaining that earlier 80% of the patients had come from abroad and infection was limited to a very few who had come into close contact with them.
We have to live with H1N1, but be cautious. Fever is a common symptom for many diseases but if it persists more than two days, seek medical advice and help, he added.
Have you got these symptoms
Feeling under the weather with a sore throat, runny nose, cough and fever. Then stay home from school or work and bed-rest, for it maybe H1N1 that has hit you.
Now H1N1 is not only in Colombo but also in other areas like Kandy, Galle, and Matara with many people especially children being reported with the signs and symptoms of the flu, said Consultant Physician of the IDH, Dr. Ananda Wijewickrema. “Recently many children from various schools were brought here.”
Earlier the policy was to detect the patients, test and isolate them. Now that is no longer necessary and everybody is not being tested. People are being treated symptomatically as in almost all cases it is a self-limiting infection. Apart from symptomatic treatment most would get better without treatment. But there is the rare possibility of people with the infection developing pneumonia, as can happen with any viral infection affecting the chest, he said. “This is a serious situation.”
The usual symptoms are: fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, body aches, sometimes red eyes and also diarrhoea.
However, cautions Dr. Wijewickrema, if a person is developing pneumonia, the early features will be worsening of cough and shortness of breath. Then, seek medical advice and care from a qualified doctor.
If such patients come, we test them and depending on the results start them on anti-viral medication, he added.
Otherwise, the patient needs to rest, have lots of fluids and paracetamol for the fever.
How does it spread?
H1N1 spreads from person to person through the inhalation of infected droplets which are emitted into the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs.
It can also be contracted by touching objects on which such droplets have fallen and then touching the face, especially the mouth, nose or eyes.
The incubation period for the infection is up to seven days after exposure, with symptoms usually developing around the third day.
When sneezing or coughing use a handkerchief which should be washed with soap after that or tissue which should be discarded without being left around leading to the infection of others. To stop it spreading wash hands with soap and water regularly.If there is no hanky or tissue around and a sudden sneeze or cough comes along use the crook of your arm.
If you do get H1N1 try to isolate yourself at home and wear a mask if possible to prevent it spreading to others. But seek help if there is no improvement after two days.
Prevention is possible, if you wash your hands with soap and water regularly, don’t go close to people with illness and don’t touch your face especially your mouth and nose, for the virus enters through them.
If a person is ill and you need to talk to him, stand four feet away, so that you will not come into contact with infected droplets if he sneezes or coughs. Avoid gatherings, especially in schools.
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