No matter the ailment, many Jamaicans often opt to self-medicate instead of visit a physician. But, if you realise that you have a fever, you start sniffling and your symptoms worsen, the Ministry of Health is urging you to visit a physician in order to be properly assessed.

The flu season is in full effect and more people are experiencing cold and flu-like symptoms. however, in the midst of this, there have been 10 confirmed cases of the H1N1 influenza virus, which is also known as swine flu, up to Friday afternoon. So far, the Ministry of Health has reported that three people being treated for swine flu have died so far.

“The way the H1N1 and the related deaths we have had so far escalate, we certainly recommend if you are ill — you have a fever a little sniffle, because that’s how the usual flu would present — so we call those ARIs (acute respiratory infections), what we differentiate are the SARI’s (severe acute respiratory infections).

“In other words, you now by day two [or] day three, [you are] not just having a fever, but you are having productive sputum — yellow, green sputum — you’re hearing wheezes, you are having shortness of breath, you are obviously getting worse, then we think you really shouldn’t wait on that, you should see a physician in order to be properly assessed,” acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Winston De La Haye told the Jamaica Observer in an interview Friday.

He explained that the flu is caused by many viruses, highlighting that, specifically, the H1N1 or influenza virus would only be responsible for 30 to 40 per cent of all flu, as there are other viruses which lead to the flu-like symptoms.

“The difference with the H1N1, commonly known as the swine flu, is severity of the symptoms which patients who are infected with H1N1 would have, to include… deaths of patients, especially patients with other co-morbid disorders, and pregnant women as well as the elderly and the young.”

He said that the Ministry of Health certainly stresses the importance, particularly to this group of individuals, to be very careful in terms of hygiene practice.

The acting chief medical officer encouraged good hygiene practice by people washing their hands regularly. “if you have a cough don’t be among others who don’t or if you are not in a position to control that, then remove yourself from around people who appear to be ill because the virus is transmitted by droplets,”Dr De La Haye said.

“Mainly, when I sneeze, you inhale the air I sneeze and you’re likely to be infected,” he explained.

He said simple behavioural measures will go a far way in preventing the spread of H1N1.

“If you are not exposed you cannot be infected, so we are urging Jamaicans to really be on top of things,” he insisted.

— Anika Richards