Asthma and H1N1

Health.com reported that 25 million of Americans have asthma which is equivalent to the whole Malaysian population. They are very sensitive to swine flu or H1N1 which symptoms include fever, congestion, and possibly nausea, diarrhea, and vomitting. When they are exposed to pollen, pet allegens, bacteria, viruses, their lung will tighten in response to those insults. In response to H1N1, the lung produces mucus which can get trapped in narrow airways, leading to pneumonia.

Their advices are:-

1. Take your controller medications every day, even if you do not really need it. Pay serious attention to little kids because they tend to skip those kind of medications.

2. If you can afford or luckyly enough, get vaccinated. There is a nasal spray version of H1N1 vaccin which is not recommended for high risk group. Consult your doctor.

Due to the high price and shortages of the vaccins, most countries unable to obtain the supplies. Thus the best advice is to try to avoid infection in the first place by skipping parties, wash hands, cover coughs and sneezes. Attend medical treatment immediately if you get sick, don't wait until you die.

Jain of Health.com found out that antiviral treatment of hospitalised patients really helped notably within 2 days. Thus time is crucial. There are a number of antiviral drugs namely oseltamivir, zanamivir, amantadine, and rimantadine. Zanamivir (Relenza) not recommended for for asthamatic patients according to Center for Disease Control and Prevention, US.

Summarily, asthmatic people must take their medication on regular basis regardless whether sick or not. Seek medical treatment immediately and if possible get vaccinated. Lastly pray to God. For muslim, inshaallah you will be protected. Amin

For more info visit Health.com and search for "asthma and swine flu"

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