H1N1
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Just want to share my experience recently. My son (2.5 yo) had a slight runny nose and it developed into mild fever one night. The fever went off after we gave him medicine to bring down the fever, but it returned the next night. It was about 38.1 - 38.3 degrees. Didn't cough or have a sore throat (otherwise his appetite would be affected). As it was at night and during public holidays, DH brought him to KK hospital just to see whether serious or not. I was really disappointed after DH came back and told me that all < 5yo would be given Tamiflu regardless. There was no test given to ascertain if it was Influenza A. As it was late at night and it was technically my son's 2nd night with the fever, we gave him the Tamiflu. He was fine the next morning, no fever but still has slight runny nose. Throughout the day, I got increasingly uncomfortable and gave his PD a call. Decided to bring him to his PD the next day to check if he really has Influenza A in the first place (as H1N1 belongs to the group of Influenza A virus). The test took about 10 mins and it was negative. Before the test was taken, his PD also thought that his symptoms were very mild and unlikely to be H1N1. Since my son did not have Influenza A and therefore not likely to have H1N1, we stopped giving him the Tamiflu.
So after spending on the Tamiflu (which now has to be thrown away since it is in liquid form) at KK including the consultation, we had to spend another $100+ for consultation with the PD and the Influenza A test. :moneyflies: Money is probably a small matter, but imagine taking the Tamiflu for nothing! -
Source not verified... Received this in my work email which I thought made sense.
How to prevent H1N1 – An eMail forward is reproduced below:
Thanks to media hype about H1N1, several people who trust me have either approached or called me to advice. The hype in media about the utility of face masks and N95 respirators as a tool for general protection against H1N1 can't be deplored enough.
Yesterday, a friend who listened wanted me to write down briefly what I advised so that he could tell others in similar words. Hence this short email to friends whom I have advised recently (and others whom I haven't yet).
Please realize that this is not an official advice, especially the one about face masks or N95. Most N95 respirators are designed to filter 95% particulates of 0.3µ, while the size of H1N1 virus is about 0.1µ. Hence, dependence on N95 to protect against H1N1 is like protecting against rain with an umbrella made of mosquito net.
Tamiflu does not kill but prevents H1N1 from further proliferation till the virus limits itself in about 1-2 weeks (its natural cycle). H1N1, like other Influenza A viruses, only infects the upper respiratory tract and proliferates (only) there. The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/ throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions.
Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps - not fully highlighted in most official communications - can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. \"Hands-off-the-face\" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat or bathe).
3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.
5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
6. Drink as much of warm liquids as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.
7. All these are simple ways to prevent, within means of most households, and certainly much less painful than to wait in long queues outside public hospitals.
Happy breathing! -
ZacK:
Sounds like sensible advices. For cleaning nostril, I wonder whether sea salt spray like Sterimar will do the same job? I use it on dd and also on myself occasionally before H1N1 as basic nasal hygiene ...so now must \"up\" the frequency. My mum use it when she feels her \"sinus\" is about to resurface and it seems to provide some relief.
3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population. -
westmom:
Sounds like sensible advices. For cleaning nostril, I wonder whether sea salt spray like Sterimar will do the same job? I use it on dd and also on myself occasionally before H1N1 as basic nasal hygiene ...so now must \"up\" the frequency. My mum use it when she feels her \"sinus\" is about to resurface and it seems to provide some relief.
I have a habit of blowing my nostrils when I shower but do not swab salt water on my nostrils, I guess anything salt based shd do the trick ... Also I find that whenever I use listrine, it seems to curb my throat infections
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Would you give your kids or yourself the above vaccine, especially for those who are travelling to the Northern Heimesphere?
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Hi, I have the exact same query too. Not sure if the vaccine is safe for kids. …What about the normal flu jab? Is that safe for kids too. My child is now only 5yrs. Thks.
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AppleTree:
Hi, I have the exact same query too. Not sure if the vaccine is safe for kids. ...What about the normal flu jab? Is that safe for kids too. My child is now only 5yrs. Thks.
My child had his flu vaccine when he is 2 year old.
I get very upset when he always come back from the childcare centre with runny nose. It made him lose his appetite and he hasnt been sleeping well with the blocked nose..
I called up the polyclinic and was told that a vaccine is available for children at his age and i immediately made an appt and pull him for the jab! The vaccination does not prevent all flu viruses, however most of the common cold, flu and viruses seem to vanish after he had taken the jab.
Doctor vistis also has been cut down.
I will \"Chiong\" to bring him to the H1N1 vaccine once it is available as prevention is better than cure.. :lol: -
Definitely it is necessary. The virus is going to get a lot worse during the winter months.
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Hi Sunset Dae,
Did you asked the doctor about any possible side effects? I am worried about introducing some unknown drugs to my son’s body… Especially about the H1N1 jab, as it is so new… I have heard that some child gets negative side effects of losing their concentration due to the flu jab. That’s why I’m abit hesitant. Thanks again. -
Its the nurse that did the injection. she told me side effects would be having a fever and child would also be having a runny nose because they are introducing the flu virus into his body.
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