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Recognize Signs of Influenza
Jakarta - Clinical signs of influenza A infection is very similar to those of seasonal flu. This makes the diagnose process difficult. To anticipate further virus spread, the diagnostic and laboratory capacity in Indonesia needs to be improved. “In general, the symptoms of H1N1 flu (influenza A) in humans is very similar to seasonal flu, ranging from without symptoms to severe pneumonia and death,” said dr Priyanti Z Soepandi, a lung specialist doctor from the Medical Faculty of Indonesia University-Persahabatan Hospital, in a seminar on Preparedness Against H1N1 in Indonesia, Tuesday (5/5) in Jakarta.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a phase 5 H1N1 pandemic alert, indicating human to human transmission. Several symptoms people need to look out for ranges from influenza-like symptoms until pneumonia. Acute respiratory symptoms with nasal discharge, a sore throat, and coughing must be of concern. Moreover if within seven days before the symptoms have developed the person had contact with an H1N1 confirmed patient or had visited an H1N1 confirmed case site.
In adults, the patient is in emergency of he/she has difficult breathing or short breaths, experiences pain or pressure on the chest and abdomen, is suddenly dizzy and has severe vomiting. “To diagnose the disease, specimens must be taken immediately and tested with real time PCR (polymerase chain reaction), virus culture, and other tests,” said Priyanti.
An emergency case in children is if the child has quick or difficult breathing, bluish tinge on the skin, is dehydrated, difficult to wake up, apathy, and very restless. “The flu like symptoms seem to diminish, but then it comes back with fever, severe coughing, diarrhea, and vomiting,” said Priyanti.
In Denpasar, Bali, the public and pig farmers reacts positively to the collection of nasal samples and blood samples from pigs as part of the government’s effort in anticipation of possible transmission of influenza A. Samples were collected randomly from 1,500 pigs in Bali and 400 pigs in Nusa Tenggara Barat and Nusa Tenggara Timur. Sampling is conducted from 4 to 23 May 2009.
Chief of Jagapti village, Badung district, Wayan Suarnaya, said “This gives the public a sense of security because the local government has taken immediate action, unlike with avian influenza where actions were only taken after somebody had died.”
According to Wayan, information is still needed to calm the public.
Similar sample collection is also conducted in Bandar Lampung, Lampung province. Besides sampling, education on the importance of maintaining farm and environmental health for pig farm owners and workers was also given.
In Jambi, Jambi province, all pig traders are compelled to use the animal slaughterhouse to slaughter and prepare the meat they want to sell. (TIM KOMPAS)
Source : Kompas [edit]