H1N1 - Persons in high risk groups should seek treatment early when experiencing influenza symptoms

H1N1 - Persons in high risk groups should seek treatment early when experiencing influenza symptoms

Dr Winston De La Haye

KINGSTON, Jamaica - The Ministry of Health is appealing to persons who fall within the high risk groups for severe complications to seek treatment early if they experience symptoms of influenza infection.

The appeal comes as the country recorded its fourth Influenza A(H1N1) associated death. The latest patient is a pregnant woman who had other illnesses including lung related complications.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Winston De La Haye advises that persons with other illnesses usually experience more severe symptoms of influenza A(H1N1) which can lead to a worsening of their preexisting condition.
To date four (4) persons have died all of whom had severe complications including heart and lung related illnesses.



“Patients in the high risk groups usually have other illnesses made worse by the infection or a compromised immune system. We generally see the greatest effects in persons with non-communicable diseases such as heart and lung related illnesses and respiratory diseases such as asthma,” Dr De La Haye said.

He said it is important that treatment for these persons is initiated early so that there is a greater chance of recovery. “I am appealing to persons in the high risk group including pregnant women, young children, the elderly, those with non-communicable diseases and any illness or undergoing treatment that weakens the immune system to seek medical help as soon as they begin to notice symptoms,” he said.

Influenza presents with symptoms including fever, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, headache and body aches and fatigue. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also be experienced.

Since January 2016 the Ministry of Health has confirmed 28 cases of Influenza A(H1N1). Anyone who dies from any condition and also had this type of flu is recorded as an H1N1 death.

People at High Risk for Developing Flu-Related Complications

•Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old

•Adults 65 years of age and older

•Pregnant women

People who have medical conditions including:

•Asthma

•Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions [including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability (mental retardation), moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury].

•Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis)

•Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)

•Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)

•Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus)

•Kidney disorders

•Liver disorders

•Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)

•Weakened immune system due to disease or medication (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or cancer, or those on chronic steroids)

•People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy

•People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)