Liow: Docs will decide on who to test for H1N1

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: There is no need for people with flu-like symptoms to be tested for the influenza A (H1N1) virus, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said.
He said it was up to the doctor to decide on the treatment of the patient.
He added that those not in the high-risk group should listen to the advice of doctors and follow the symptomatic treatment prescribed.
“The public need not worry if they are tested or not. Whether you know you have H1N1 or not, what is more important is your symptoms and health.
“We will take the initiative to test for H1N1 when we see that you are in a particular high-risk group. This is our decision now,” he told a press conference after visiting the Sungai Buloh Hospital yesterday.
Currently, he said testing was only available at the Institute of Medical Research here, Sungai Buloh and Kota Kinabalu.
“They can still go to a private hospital for testing. The University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) has testing laboratories.
“Private clinics do not have the facilities unless they use a rapid test which is not accurate. There is only 80% accuracy,” he said.
He said the three government labs could only handle a total of 1,000 tests per day, adding that the ministry was currently trying to equip state hospitals with H1N1 testing labs to cope with demand.
When asked how can people with flu-like symptoms could be treated, Liow replied:
“For those not in the high-risk group, they are still getting symptomatic treatment. The doctor will prescribe medicine but just not anti-viral medicine.
“These people need to rest, drink more water, practice social distancing and stay away from public activities. They will recover in time,” he said.
Liow said it was important for the public not to panic but they must be on high alert and vigilant on the pandemic.