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Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System Date: 13 Aug 2009 Title: SA has enough stock of Tamiflu - Motsoaledi -------------------- By Gabi Khumalo Pretoria - The Department of Health has assured the public that the country has enough stock of Tamiflu to tackle the H1N1 Influenza pandemic, in case the situation becomes worse. "We have 100 000 doses of stock of Tamiflu to tackle the H1N1. Whenever there is a need for Tamiflu, we will take from those stocks," said Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, on Thursday, following an ordinary meeting of cabinet. However, Dr Motsoaledi warned that Tamiflu, which is an antiviral prescription drug used to treat H1N1, should only be used by people with moderate and severe symptoms, not mild cases. "People with mild cases don't need Tamiflu, but should rather stay at home and take sufficient amounts of fluids," he said. He further added that the pandemic will not cause a strain at public hospitals since most people have mild symptoms. However, the minister was concerned about the unnecessary testing of people, especially in the private healthcare sector, where people are paying large amounts of money for swine flu tests. He said the tests were expensive with the private health sector costing R800 and R400 in the public sector. "Doctors decide on whether the cases need testing, but we don't believe in over testing. There is an over subscription of testing in the private sector and we have a report that we are about to run out of Regency (Medical Supplies for swine flu), which do not exist in the country since we get them from the Disease Control in America," Dr Motsoaledi said. Sharing the same sentiments on the over testing of swine flu and the over use of Tamiflu, Director of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases Professor Barry Schoub said it was unnecessary to test all the cases even the suspected H1N1 cases, noting that there are few lab cases that needs confirmation. "Tamiflu is not the magic bullet and doesn't mean that you'll instantly get better once you take it," Professor Schoubb said. According to the Department of Health, the symptoms of swine flu could be divided into mild, moderate and severe. Mild symptoms include runny or blocked nose; fever; muscle aches and pain; general feeling of unwellness and cough. The mild symptoms do not need any specialised medical care and the symptoms should be treated as is the case other influenza-like symptoms. However, if mild symptoms develop in people with chronic heart or lung disease, pregnant women or people living with HIV and AIDS, these people are advised to seek medical care immediately. Moderate symptoms include mild symptoms plus shortness of breath; chest pain; persistent vomiting and diarrhoea and signs of dehydration. Severe symptoms include mild and moderate symptoms plus signs of respiratory distress, blue lips and other parts of the body and severe drowsiness and loss of consciousness. Anyone with moderate or severe symptoms is advised to immediately seek medical attention. - BuaNews |
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