Since
the first report of the death of a doctor from Influenza A (H1N1) aka swine flu
as reported in my blog article
entitled “How
Jamaican Female Doctor Dead from Swine flu and Why H1N1 spreading through
Jamaica” many Jamaican have become fearful.
New
details are now slowly emerging since Saturday February 20th 2016,
starting with the identity of the doctor. Her name is Dr. Suzanna Roye, a 50
year old doctor as reported in the article “Doctor
first to die from swine flu-related issues, illness now on high alert list”,
Published Saturday February 20, 2016, The
Jamaica Gleaner.
She
was one of two (2) doctors airlifted via helicopter from the Mandeville
Hospital to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) at the UHWI (University Hospital of
the West Indies). According to my sources, the other doctor is alive but she
died, leaving many Jamaicans, (and doctors no doubt!) a little on edge.
After all, if it can kill a doctor, who most
likely was treating or in contact with the 10 month old child and the adult who
were the first reported cases back in Thursday February 11th 2016, what defence
have we regular Jamaicans against this disease?
So
far there has been nine (9) confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1), which is
testament to its rapid spread and potential killing power.
However,
none of these patients have died as yet. So how come a doctor died, Jamaicans
ask?
H1N1 kills Dr. Suzanna
Roye - Jamaica stocking up on Tamiflu
Turns
out that the devil is truly in the details.
Most
likely, it may have simply been a case of poor hygiene as note by acting CMO
(chief medical officer), Dr Winston De La Haye in the article “Follow
proper hygienic practices to avoid H1N1 virus, CMO urges”, published
Sunday, February 21, 2016, The
Jamaica Observer.
The
Influenza A (H1N1) isn't airborne.
Rather,
it spread via your aerosolized body fluids, specifically saliva or sputum that
is ejected from the mouth or nose of the infected patient. This aerosolized
saliva or sputum then land on surfaces such as tables, chairs or doorknobs
which other people touch, spreading Influenza A (H1N1) viral particles.
98%
of persons infected with Influenza A (H1N1) rarely show symptoms as noted in
the article “Leicester
Royal Infirmary closes wards over swine flu”, published 18 February 2016, BBC.
However,
the 2% that get ill tend to have the following symptoms:
1. Dry
cough
2. Headache
3. High
fever
4. Muscle
and joint pains
5. Runny
nose
6. Sore
throat
7. Tiredness
8. Unwell
feeling
Most people recover after
one or two weeks with Doctors prescribing the following drugs for the above
symptoms:
1.
Panadol/Tylenol
2.
DPH
3.
Claritine
[loratidine]
4.
Cetirizine
5.
Fexofenadine
Panadol/Tylenol is an
Acetaminophen and is taken to relieve the Muscle and joint pains. DPH,
claritine [loratidine], cetirizine, or fexofenadine with pseudoephedrine is
used to reduce sneezing and the production of mucus and sputum.
According
to acting CMO (chief medical officer), Dr Winston De La Haye, the Ministry of
Health is stocking up on Tamiflu, the main drug used against Influenza A (H1N1)
as noted in the article “Health
ministry prepares for more swine flu as victim succumbs”, published Monday,
February 22, 2016, The Jamaica
Observer.
He
also claims that they already have an adequate supply of Tamiflu to treat those
patients that have developed severe symptoms of Influenza A (H1N1) as pointed out
in the article “No
shortage of H1N1 medication - De La Haye”, Published Monday February 22,
2016, The Jamaica Gleaner.
So
why did the Dr. Suzanna Roye die?
Why Dr. Suzanna Roye died
from H1N1 - Weakened immune system due to diet lacking in fruits and vegetables
The
answer is quite simple really; Tamiflu only treats the symptoms of Influenza A
(H1N1).
It
does NOT kill the Influenza A (H1N1) or prevent you from getting infected.
The
only thing that can do that is an Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine, which would have
to be administered to all vulnerable Jamaicans with weak immune system:
1. Elderly
2. Infants
3. Persons
with chronic medical conditions, such as heart, lung, kidney disease, and
diabetes and Asthma
4. Pregnant
women
5. Young
children
Dr.
Suzanna Roye, at 50 year old, was most likely someone with a much weakened
immune system, as she died within the space of 2 weeks. The fact that she
succumbed so readily indicate that she may have really died from underlying
co-morbid medical conditions.
Given
her advanced age and the fact that she’s a female, this may most likely have
been heart disease, kidney disease and asthma, a common ailment in Jamaica as
noted in my MICO Wars blog
article entitled “How
to use Alternative Treatments for Asthma and Bronchitis”.
So
even if Dr. Suzanna Roye was given Tamiflu, her immune system was already so
weak, she easily succumbed to her illness.
Doctors,
Health care workers and regular Jamaicans can reduce the spread of Influenza A
(H1N1) virus by doing the following:
1. Avoid
contact with persons with flu-like symptoms
2. Avoid
intimate contact including hand shaking and kissing
3. Cover
your mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
4. Health
care workers wearing specialized masks and other PPE
5. Wash
your hands frequently and properly
Developing
the habit of taking multivitamins, particularly Vitamin C and B12 Complex can
also help as noted in my blog article
entitled “Vitamin
C and the Chikungunya Virus - How to increase your Vitamin C Intake,
Glutathione and Interferon by White Blood Cells”.
A
change of diet will also do you a world of good, as many of the necessary
Vitamins and mineral that can boost the immune system are found in fresh
vegetables.
There
is no cure for H1N1, so boosting your immune system by changing your diet to
one that is rich in fruits and vegetables as well as taking Vitamin C and B12
Complex will go a long way in helping you stave off the Influenza A (H1N1)
virus.
RIP
Dr. Suzanna Roye!
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