Physicians nationwide called for a meeting to tackle the influenza

BANGKOK, 16 June 2009 (NNT) – Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai assured that the A (H1N1) had no severe effect while preparing to call a meeting with physicians nationwide to acknowledge the new unified strategies to cure virus infected people.

Mr. Witthaya reiterated that the symptoms of Influenza A (H1N1) were similar to ones of annual flu, according to the academic information. He stated the virus had no severe effects and had caused a low rate of casualties. He added that some patients could recover naturally within three to four days without taking drugs.

In terms of the virus control, the Public Health Minister pointed out that the Ministry had asked infected people with mild symptoms to rest at home, drink large amounts of water, and eat nutritious foods. To prevent the virus transmission, he urged the people to wear masks and frequently wash their hands especially after coughing or sneezing. For those patients with high fever or strong cough, he suggested seeing physicians.

He elaborated that the Ministry had cooperated with experts from the Faculty of Medicine of Ramathibodi Hospital, Siriraj Hospital and Chulalongkorn Hospital in approving the diagnosis and the medical cares for the flu infected patients in order to be in line with the development of the virus. The concluded measures would be used by health personnel nationwide as guidelines for giving medical treatment.

The Ministry will call a meeting with medical doctors in both public and private hospitals across the country on June 16 to make known to them the new strategies to cope with the spread of the virus, he said. He also asked the people to be confident in physicians’ capabilities to take care of infected patients.