Why Dr. Suzanna Roye died from Influenza A (H1N1) as Ministry of Health stocks up on Tamiflu

 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 20^th 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!