On November 12, representatives from the Ministry of Health stated that the situation regarding avian influenza is becoming increasingly complex, with many citizens still unclear about the symptoms of infection by the H5N1 virus from poultry.
Some individuals exhibit flu symptoms but hesitate to visit healthcare facilities for examination or choose to purchase Tamiflu illegally to prevent the illness. This behavior leads to unnecessary waste, especially when the patient is only suffering from a common flu, and it poses a risk of drug resistance in the future.
Experts advise that the public should have a thorough understanding of the clinical conditions when infected with either the common flu or H5N1 flu. This knowledge can prevent wastefulness (as Tamiflu is quite expensive) and enhance treatment effectiveness if patients with H5N1 seek medical attention promptly. Furthermore, the Ministry of Health has announced that patients diagnosed with H5N1 or those in epidemic areas will receive Tamiflu medication free of charge for treatment. Therefore, early visits to healthcare facilities for examinations can provide numerous benefits.
According to Dr. Nguyen Van Binh, Deputy Director of the Department of Preventive Health – Ministry of Health: In cases of common flu, patients gradually experience high fever reaching 38 degrees Celsius, accompanied by symptoms such as cough, sore throat, and runny nose, without any other indications. In contrast, when infected with H5N1 flu, a patient will suddenly have a fever above 38 degrees Celsius, experience a dry cough (with little sputum), and may have difficulty breathing. Patients with H5N1 flu may experience chest tightness, rapid heartbeat, quickened breathing, eventually leading to respiratory failure and multiple organ failure, which can be fatal.
The Ministry of Health also recommends that individuals displaying symptoms of H5N1 flu should immediately go to healthcare facilities for testing. There, patients will undergo daily chest X-rays, 1-2 times, to monitor any lung damage. If atypical lung damage is detected along with signs of leukopenia (after blood tests), the patient will be isolated for treatment.
According to healthcare experts, early detection of the disease is crucial because Tamiflu is most effective within the first 48 hours after a patient contracts H5N1 flu. Furthermore, according to the newly adjusted treatment protocol by the Ministry of Health, the earlier the disease is detected, the higher the treatment efficacy will be.
