kiwibird
Editor, Senior Moderator
Old report - but I do not believe filed yet.
Always heed the warning signs
2009/09/16
SHAH ALAM: Dengue and influenza A (H1N1). Two peas in a pod?
With the current influenza A (H1N1) outbreak, medical experts are finding it hard to distinguish between H1N1 and dengue fever due to certain similarities in symptoms.
Patients complain of high fever in both instances with those down with H1N1 experiencing a sudden onset of fever of 38? Celcius or higher accompanied by sore throat.
The similarity extends to a cough in those suffering from H1N1, although the cough is more severe than in dengue fever.
Poliklinik Komuniti Shah Alam family medicine specialist Dr Ho Bee Kiau said dengue patients usually have fever and two or more symptoms like headache, muscle ache, rashes and pain at the back of the eye.
?This is a dilemma faced by doctors as both are viral illnesses.
?It is quite difficult for us to differentiate between influenza-like illness and dengue as both patients would usually have had fever for one or two days.
?But if the patient had been having fever for three days or more, we need to do a full blood count to determine whether he is suffering from dengue.?
Dr Ho Bee Kiau showing the dengue monitoring card.
Dr Ho Bee Kiau showing the dengue monitoring card.
She said doctors were concerned over those with dengue seeking treatment late.
?By right, death due to dengue can be prevented.?
Between Aug 2 and 8, 585 dengue cases and one death were reported nationwide compared with 568 cases with no deaths the previous week.
There have been 28,127 cases with 67 deaths so far this year.
Dr Ho said most dengue patients thought they had recovered when their fever subsided after three days when in fact that was the most dangerous period for them.
?They might not realise that they have developed warning signs.
?This is why we lose patients. They do not come for a follow-up at the critical period.?
The Health Ministry has come up with a dengue monitoring card to list the date, body temperature and details of patients seeking treatment for follow-up purposes.
Guidelines on dengue patient care at home and warning signs are also on the cards.
Among signs are frequent vomitting, breathing difficulty, cold and clammy skin, headache and stomach pain.
Dr Ho said last year, about 40 per cent of dengue patients died within 24 hours after admission to hospital due to late treatment.
?Currently, health centres are looking at the concentration of blood in the body which is an early sign before patients go into dengue shock.?
http://www.nstp.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/20090916012443/Article/
Always heed the warning signs
2009/09/16
SHAH ALAM: Dengue and influenza A (H1N1). Two peas in a pod?
With the current influenza A (H1N1) outbreak, medical experts are finding it hard to distinguish between H1N1 and dengue fever due to certain similarities in symptoms.
Patients complain of high fever in both instances with those down with H1N1 experiencing a sudden onset of fever of 38? Celcius or higher accompanied by sore throat.
The similarity extends to a cough in those suffering from H1N1, although the cough is more severe than in dengue fever.
Poliklinik Komuniti Shah Alam family medicine specialist Dr Ho Bee Kiau said dengue patients usually have fever and two or more symptoms like headache, muscle ache, rashes and pain at the back of the eye.
?This is a dilemma faced by doctors as both are viral illnesses.
?It is quite difficult for us to differentiate between influenza-like illness and dengue as both patients would usually have had fever for one or two days.
?But if the patient had been having fever for three days or more, we need to do a full blood count to determine whether he is suffering from dengue.?
Dr Ho Bee Kiau showing the dengue monitoring card.
Dr Ho Bee Kiau showing the dengue monitoring card.
She said doctors were concerned over those with dengue seeking treatment late.
?By right, death due to dengue can be prevented.?
Between Aug 2 and 8, 585 dengue cases and one death were reported nationwide compared with 568 cases with no deaths the previous week.
There have been 28,127 cases with 67 deaths so far this year.
Dr Ho said most dengue patients thought they had recovered when their fever subsided after three days when in fact that was the most dangerous period for them.
?They might not realise that they have developed warning signs.
?This is why we lose patients. They do not come for a follow-up at the critical period.?
The Health Ministry has come up with a dengue monitoring card to list the date, body temperature and details of patients seeking treatment for follow-up purposes.
Guidelines on dengue patient care at home and warning signs are also on the cards.
Among signs are frequent vomitting, breathing difficulty, cold and clammy skin, headache and stomach pain.
Dr Ho said last year, about 40 per cent of dengue patients died within 24 hours after admission to hospital due to late treatment.
?Currently, health centres are looking at the concentration of blood in the body which is an early sign before patients go into dengue shock.?
http://www.nstp.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/20090916012443/Article/