Influenza test taken by SQ at Gleneagle Paed Specialist Clinic cost RM330.00 for rapid test and RM100.00 for gomen’s H1N1 test, if rapid test show positive then they will send the sample to gomen for H1N1 test directly. Accurate percentage will be 95% and above. Result will be ready at 2 hours for rapid influenza test and 1 to 2 weeks for H1N1 test. Doctor collect the resulting fluid (saline and mucus) from nose.
SQ result show positive. Dc put her on 7 days Tamiflu (Cost RM220.00 for 7 days supply)
Influenza test taken by Kiki at Gleneagle A & E Deaprtment cost RM313.00, which is RM195 for rapid test and 120+ for consultation fees. Accurate percentage will be around 70% – 95%. Result ready at 1 – 2 hours (I got Kiki’s result less than 1 hour!) . Doctor collect the resulting fluid from Mouth.
Kiki result show negative. But doctor advices to take Tamiflu also because she already have sympton (fever) and exposed to SQ.
After check with SQ’s paed, he told me it is wasted time and money to do the test for Kiki, usually in once happen in a family, the others will get the virus also. So, if any members got sympton already then can take tamiflu straightly.
My Q & A about H1N1
How do we know we if infected ler?
SQ’s Paed said adults will get infected also but if no high fever / coughing serious / sore throat (either 2 of them) then no need to take tamiflu and just take medicine like normal flu will do.
Sign & Symptons of moderate to severe influenza (Adopted from http://h1n2.moh.gov.my)
- Respiratory difficulty : shortness of breath, rapid breathing or purple or blue discoloration of lips
- Coughing out blood or blood streaked sputem.
- Persistent chest pains
- Persistent diarrhoea and/or vomiting
- Fever persisting beyong 3 days or recurring after 3 days (SQ only have this!!)
- Abnormal behaviour, confusion, less responsive, convulsion
- Dizzliness when standing and/ or reduced urine production.
I read from newspaper cakap if someone taken tamiflu with no H1N1 infected, then tamiflu would not work if she/he really infected next time.
SQ’s paed told me NO SUCH THING! It just like other antibiotic will work the same if you infected again.
Then, I finally get the answer of if already infected H1N1 will get infected again?
SQ’s Paed said probably no. It just like chicken box will infected once only.
Added : 23.08.2009
I also read children will have side effects if consume Tamilflu.
SQ’s Paed said patient must consume according to doctor instruction. Consume quantity and period is depends on individual weight. Usually no side effect for people follow instruction as Tamilfu is just another type of antibiotic.
My personal Thought :
If gomen not allow private clinic or hospital to do the rapid test and give tamiflu directly. SQ and Kiki won’t know they got infected also and will just treat as normal fever and flu. Lucky SQ manage to recover from the fever if not I could not imagine further liao. Seem like we could only WAIT and WAIT until SQ half die – fever not drop + coughing seriously + sore throat + breathing difficulty then so call gomen baru test for her and that might be too late to take tamiflu.
I am sad to see some of the H1N1 dead cases happen might because of no place to get help and not because of no medication to cure.