Press Release
The H1N1 influenza A virus remains a concern for the region.
As such, testing those who are in hospital, those who are seriously ill, and other individuals at risk of complications from this new virus enables scientists to learn how H1N1 might be different from the seasonal influenza, the Northwestern Health Unit reported last week.
“For those who are seriously ill and need medical treatment in hospital, testing will be done for H1N1 influenza A,” said Dr. Jim Arthurs, acting medical officer of health for the health unit.
He suggested that if you can manage your symptoms at home, it is unlikely you will be tested for H1N1, stating “it won’t help you get better any faster, and it won’t give us any new information on the illness.”
People who do become seriously ill with the H1N1 virus can be treated with influenza antiviral medication as soon as symptoms start.
Antivirals cannot protect a person from becoming infected or kill the virus once a person is infected. But it can slow further spread of the virus through the body, which reduces the duration and severity of the illness.
If a person has been ill for more than a couple of days, it means the virus already has multiplied.
This makes treatment with antivirals much less effective—and less likely to be prescribed by a physician.
If antivirals are used excessively in the population, the viruses potentially can begin to adapt and develop resistance, which means the drugs no longer might be effective in treating the illness.
“Unfortunately, if you have been sick for a number of days, antivirals are not going to help,” said Dr. Arthurs.
“We must be cautious in the use of antivirals so they remain effective in the treatment of influenza,” he stressed.
