Kuwait Times

Published Date: June 18, 2009
By Muna Al-Fuzai, Staff columnist

Are you worried about swine flu in Kuwait? Do you think we are protected because we don't have pig farms in Kuwait or because the government has taken precautions to protect people against this disease? I know these questions are in the minds of many people, not only here in Kuwait, but around the globe. I don't blame anyone because this issue is not a joke. People's health and lives are not a matter that can be taken lightly! So, should we worry or just let it go and trust the repeated announcements by Ku
waiti officials that everything is alright?

Swine influenza (also called swine flu, hog flu and pig flu) is an infection of a host animal by any one of several specific types of microscopic organisms called "swine influenza virus." What are swine flu symptoms? Other than the typical claim, it is like an ordinary flu with fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Many people with swine flu have had diarrhea and vomiting. That means that you and your doctor can't know, just based on your symptoms, if you've got s
wine flu. Health care professionals may offer a rapid flu test if they suspect you are carrying swine flu virus. What should people do if they have the flu and not swine flu? Doctors have advised them to stay home, and when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue.

Afterward, throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands. That will help prevent your flu from spreading, especially to those with weak immune systems and children. I also think it would be wise to contact your doctor at the first signs of a flu-like illness. If your doctor suspects swine flu, he or she will be able to write you a prescription for the flu. These medications aren't a question of life or death for the vast majority of people.

Are we taking this issue seriously in Kuwait? All official announcements confirm that Kuwait is stable and everything is under control. I thought this disease was an epidemic and that there was no cure for it, so I can't figure out how everything is under control. Wear a face mask or respirator. Every day, newspapers bring us pictures of people wearing face masks to prevent swine flu transmission. But are face masks actually protection against the flu? Does it help? Or will it only save our noses from the
dust? There's a difference between a face mask and a respirator. A face mask does not seal tightly to the face.

Respirators makes it hard to breathe if they are worn for extended periods of time. But a face mask or respirator may protect you in crowded, public places.
How much do we know about swine flu and are we being updated? The thing here is that we need to be kept up to date about what to do. In Kuwait, six people were found to be infected with the swine flu virus. So we must be careful, unless you want to be a pig. We should exercise caution during this time and stay away from people with any kind of flu.

muna@kuwaittimes.net