http://nationmultimedia.com/2009/07/20/national/national_30107930.php
:oIo:
Type-A (H1N1) virus attacks lungs
By Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation
The type-A (H1N1) influenza virus directly attacks the human lung, developing severe symptoms that can lead to death, the Public Health Ministry said Monday.
" We found that most patients with severe type-A (H1N1) influenza symptoms also suffered severe pneumonia," said the director-general of the Medical Service Department, Dr Rewat Wisarutwej.
The finding was revealed by health experts meeting at the department to examine the character of the new influenza virus and its severity when infecting humans - based on patient's medical records, laboratory tests, and x-ray results.
" The virus has been found deep in the bottom of the lungs," Rawat said, adding that most patients developed the symptoms after contracting the virus in large amounts from other infected patients. The Public Health Ministry will reveal details from its first autopsy on a swine flu patient this Wednesday.
Rawat has urged patients with mild symptoms of type-A (H1N1) influenza not to exercise as heavy breathing would help the virus in its attack on the lungs.
According to the Public Health Ministry, the new strain of flu has claimed 24 lives in Thailand and infected more than 4,469 cases. Most patients make a full recovery within two to three days - and most fatalities were among people who had gone to hospital too late.
However, Witthaya said the number of patients admitted to Bangkok hospitals with the virus had decreased surprisingly as people were no longer panicking after the release of more information about the virus
" The situation will normalise as people understand and follow the ministry's recommendations that anyone developing mild flu-like symptoms should stay home - unless their condition worsens - helping reduce the spread of the disease," he said.
Rajavithi Hospital's director,Dr Varunee Jinarat reported the number of patients with flu-like symptoms attending hospital had dropped from 500 cases per day to 150; and admissions were down to four or five a day. Total patients seeking hospital treatment for flu symptoms during the past three months was over 7,000.
However, Varunee remained concerned about the spread of the disease in public spaces and in hospitals from infected patients who did not show symptoms, infecting people with other underlying diseases.
She said the hospital urged all admitted patients to wear face masks, but some were reluctant to do so.
"Even though the number of patients with flu-like symptoms at hospital has decreased, we are not confident [in controlling the situation] as many infected people still do not wear face masks," she said.
Rawat said the number of suspected flu patients had also dropped at the Nopparat and Bangkok Childrens hospitals.
"I think patient admissions will drop by 50 per cent if we send clear messages to them," he said.
Witthaya said the Public Health Ministry had distributed 4 million name-card-sized manuals with information about self-care for people with flu-like symptoms.
The ministry has also distributed 60,000 clinical practice guidelines for medical workers on the appropriate approach to treating flu patients,
:oIo:Type-A (H1N1) virus attacks lungs
By Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation
The type-A (H1N1) influenza virus directly attacks the human lung, developing severe symptoms that can lead to death, the Public Health Ministry said Monday.
" We found that most patients with severe type-A (H1N1) influenza symptoms also suffered severe pneumonia," said the director-general of the Medical Service Department, Dr Rewat Wisarutwej.
The finding was revealed by health experts meeting at the department to examine the character of the new influenza virus and its severity when infecting humans - based on patient's medical records, laboratory tests, and x-ray results.
" The virus has been found deep in the bottom of the lungs," Rawat said, adding that most patients developed the symptoms after contracting the virus in large amounts from other infected patients. The Public Health Ministry will reveal details from its first autopsy on a swine flu patient this Wednesday.
Rawat has urged patients with mild symptoms of type-A (H1N1) influenza not to exercise as heavy breathing would help the virus in its attack on the lungs.
According to the Public Health Ministry, the new strain of flu has claimed 24 lives in Thailand and infected more than 4,469 cases. Most patients make a full recovery within two to three days - and most fatalities were among people who had gone to hospital too late.
However, Witthaya said the number of patients admitted to Bangkok hospitals with the virus had decreased surprisingly as people were no longer panicking after the release of more information about the virus
" The situation will normalise as people understand and follow the ministry's recommendations that anyone developing mild flu-like symptoms should stay home - unless their condition worsens - helping reduce the spread of the disease," he said.
Rajavithi Hospital's director,Dr Varunee Jinarat reported the number of patients with flu-like symptoms attending hospital had dropped from 500 cases per day to 150; and admissions were down to four or five a day. Total patients seeking hospital treatment for flu symptoms during the past three months was over 7,000.
However, Varunee remained concerned about the spread of the disease in public spaces and in hospitals from infected patients who did not show symptoms, infecting people with other underlying diseases.
She said the hospital urged all admitted patients to wear face masks, but some were reluctant to do so.
"Even though the number of patients with flu-like symptoms at hospital has decreased, we are not confident [in controlling the situation] as many infected people still do not wear face masks," she said.
Rawat said the number of suspected flu patients had also dropped at the Nopparat and Bangkok Childrens hospitals.
"I think patient admissions will drop by 50 per cent if we send clear messages to them," he said.
Witthaya said the Public Health Ministry had distributed 4 million name-card-sized manuals with information about self-care for people with flu-like symptoms.
The ministry has also distributed 60,000 clinical practice guidelines for medical workers on the appropriate approach to treating flu patients,
