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SINGAPORE: What are the symptoms of the H1N1 flu and how would you know if you have caught the new H1N1 virus or the common flu?
Dr Koh Chong Cheng, who runs the Tanamera Clinic at Bedok South, was the physician who tended to Singapore's first H1N1 flu patient.
He said the H1N1 flu symptoms are very similar to that of the seasonal flu. Both groups of patients suffer from fever, cough, sore throat and bodyaches. The only way to find out if you have caught the H1N1 bug is to go for a simple throat swab test.
Dr Koh stressed that if any one has any reason to believe that they have contracted the H1N1 virus, they should call for a 993 ambulance or their doctor for advice.
He said: "If you are unsure, call your GP and then get your advice from your GP. Do not go straight to the clinic because we do not want you to pass the virus to people who come into contact with you on your way to the clinic."
So far, the fatality rate for the H1N1 flu is lower than that of the seasonal flu.
According to Dr Koh, once a patient has recovered from the H1N1 virus, he or she poses no health-risk to the public. He said Singaporeans should not stigmatise those who have been infected with the H1N1 virus.
He said: "Be it a study trip or a holiday, they do not wish to bring back a virus and cause a big community outbreak. So in these times, we should be supporting them. We should not alienate them and we should not call them names."
According to the Health Ministry, the two peak flu seasons in Singapore are from May to June and from December to January. - CNA/vm
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