Clinics, hospitals on high alert for pneumonia cases

Star: 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.