Swine flu testing
This weekend,my son came down with a 38.7 fever, headache, stomachache and sore throat. My husband took him to Hamad where I assumed they would test him for the flu. Nope, just diagnosed a throat infection and gave him Amoxicillin. Two days later, his symptoms were worse, including sore joints. I took him to Doha Clinic and the doctor also didn't give him the test, but prescribed Tamiflu as a precaution. He said that Hamad Hospital and, apparently, Doha Clinic are no longer doing the flu test. If someone has even suspicious symtoms, it is automatic Tamiflu. So if you are looking to get a definitive test, beware. Considering two teenagers have died of swine flu in as many weeks, you would think Hamad would be more on the ball. Very scary.
It was early Friday morning, so they went to the Emergency room at Hamad. On top of everything else, I am 7 months pregnant and when I spoke to my OB/GYN he said that if my son wasn't definitely diagnosed that I should hold off on getting vaccinated. One, the stock is in low supply and two, apparently only haj pilgrims are getting it until the end of the month.
I don't know if this is significant, but my son started the Tamiflu Saturday night, he came home and slept 10 hours and woke up significantly better. No fever, no headache, ok joints and a mild sore throat. I don't know what he had but it left as quick as it came. I'm not sure if that is true of the flu.
maybe the problem was with the doctors who saw your son? sorry to hear about your son iman, hope he recovers soon.
if i may ask, you went directly to hamad hospital or to a PEC? because as far as i know flu vaccines are available in the PECs already and there has been a memo categorizing persons in most need to receive the H1N1 vaccine.
Knowing what is happening I am shocked to see that local main hospitals are not taking things seriously. Then they are surprised if swine flu spreads?
I hope your son makes a quick recovery.
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind"