Dr. Dave Thomas said in most cases, healthy people can get over the H1N1 flu with bed rest. Brodie Thomas photo

Stay calm and be cautious.

That's the message Dr. Dave Thomas, chief of medical staff at the LeGrow Health Centre, has for people on the southwest coast.

He said the H1N1 flu is basically the "same old flu" as any seasonal flu from past years. The big difference is that H1N1 is a new strain, meaning fewer people have natural defenses to the virus. He said because of that, it is likely to spread more quickly than the seasonal flu.

"I want to reassure people this virus has not changed. It is no more deadly than the seasonal flu," he said.

Dr. Thomas said just having a cough does not mean you have the virus. The symptoms doctors are using to diagnose the disease are very clear. A patient must have a fever of 38 degrees C or higher plus a sore throat, and one or more of the following symptoms: body aches, joint aches, headache, sinus congestion, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

For most healthy people with those symptoms, Dr. Thomas's advice is to stay home, get lots of rest, drink lots of fluids, and take Tylenol or Ibuprofen, just as they would with any seasonal flu.

"We don't want everyone with a cough to come in to see a doctor because we don't have enough staff to help everyone," he said.

The clean, cover and contain strategy will help these people get through the sickness without spreading their germs to others.

Once someone has the virus, they are contagious for seven to 10 days. Dr. Thomas said patients should isolate themselves during that time.

People who fall into high-risk categories who have the flu should see a physician. High-risk categories include children under five, pregnant women, those who are extremely overweight, those 65 and older and those who have chronic diseases such as heart disease, lung disease and diabetes.

Dr. Thomas said in many cases, those in high-risk categories will be given the antiviral drug known as Tamiflu. It will interrupt the spread of the virus in the body. It is safe for all, including pregnant women, according to Dr. Thomas.

He said there are two symptoms anyone with the flu should watch for - shortness of breath or extreme drowsiness with confusion or loss of consciousness. He said anyone experiencing those symptoms should immediately see a physician.

Dr. Thomas said the LeGrow Health Centre has made some changes to the way it receives patients. Patients with flu-like symptoms are now asked to use the emergency entrance. They will be seated in a different area from others who are at the hospital for other reasons. This is meant to help slow the spread of the disease.

Those who do come in with flu-like symptoms are asked to sanitize their hands and put on a mask as soon as they enter the building.

He said people will have faster service if they go to the hospital during regular nine-to-five business hours.

No one will be tested to see if they have the H1N1 virus. He said if a patient has flu-like symptoms, doctors are just assuming H1N1 is the cause. Testing everyone would present a needless strain on the system, he said.

Vaccine

Dr. Thomas also wanted to dispel any myths people have heard about the vaccine. He said there are a lot of mixed messages out there, especially on the Internet. He wanted to stress that it is "almost 100 per cent safe," noting that no doctor can give a complete guarantee in anything.

"I've had it, my family will be having it, and I encourage everyone to have it," said Dr. Thomas.

He said after receiving his, he did have a sore arm and a bit of a chill, but both were mild and went away after a day. He said those reactions are perfectly normal.

Dr. Thomas explained that vaccines are made by taking a sample of the virus, chopping it into pieces, and presenting those pieces to the body.

The body then recognizes the pieces when they later appear as the complete virus, and the immune system is able to stop the virus before it takes hold.

Because the vaccine only contains pieces of the virus, it is impossible to catch the H1N1 flu from the vaccine.

He said the only people who cannot get the vaccine are those with egg allergies, because it is made from egg-based ingredients.

He said the adjuvant, an additive that makes the vaccine work more effectively, is safe. While it is not in the regular seasonal flu vaccination, it has been used in other vaccines and has been extensively tested.

Pregnant women will be getting a vaccine that does not have the adjuvant. Dr. Thomas said women who are past the 20-week point in their pregnancy can safely get the regular H1N1 vaccine with the adjuvant. Data from Europe shows that it is perfectly safe for women past the 20 week mark in their pregnancy.

He said the regular vaccine is more than likely safe for all pregnant women, but the special vaccine is just an extra precaution. The special vaccine for pregnant women should be available in the coming weeks.

Dr. Thomas noted that the rollout of the vaccine has been ahead of schedule. Children under the age of five already received their shot last week.

The vaccine will be available to other high-risk groups and then the general population in the coming weeks. Western Health will be making announcements about upcoming vaccination clinics as that information becomes available.

Dr. Thomas said there is no need to panic because flu season in the southern hemisphere happened during our summer. It has given doctors a good preview of what to expect.

He feels we will be better protected than countries such as Australia because of the vaccination program.

reporter@gulfnews.ca

Cold or flu?

The following are symptoms that could indicate the H1N1 flu virus.
Almost always:
- Cough and fever
Common:
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Decreased appetite
- Runny nose
Sometimes:
- Nausea
- Vomitting
- Diarrhea
Fever, headache, and extreme fatigue are unusual with the common cold. The presence or absence of those symptoms can help determine whether one has a cold or flu.
Source: Health Canada