Do you also have a chronic illness? Then be especially aware of swine flu!

Do you have a long-term, chronic medical condition like diabetes , heart disease , asthma , or obesity ? Then you definitely need to take extra precautions to protect yourself from common flu illnesses, especially the pH1N1 virus, which we all know as ' Swine Flu'. Because if you get a flu with a chronic medical condition like this, you are more likely to have a harder time than a healthy person.

Why are people with chronic diseases at higher risk?

Imagine, if you have a chronic illness and get any type of fever, your condition may be more severe than normal. Also, you are more likely to develop complications from the flu. For example, you may develop lung infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia , which can even require hospitalization.

Not only that, getting a fever can also worsen your existing medical condition. Imagine you have asthma . If you get a fever, your asthma may worsen and you may have more difficulty breathing.

People with the following chronic conditions are at higher risk of severe illness if they contract swine flu:

What should we do to protect ourselves?

1. Be sure to get the flu vaccine.

The best way to protect yourself from swine flu and other flu viruses is to get your annual flu shot. Talk to your doctor about getting this shot. Sometimes a nasal spray is available, but the shot is best for people with chronic conditions. Also, ask your doctor about getting a shot for pneumonia.

2. Get your family and loved ones vaccinated too.

By getting everyone who lives with you, cares for you, and is in close contact with you vaccinated against the flu, you can greatly reduce your risk of contracting the disease. This is like creating a protective shield around you.

3. Follow safety measures every day

These are the same things we do to protect ourselves from a common cold, but they are doubly important for those of you with chronic illnesses.

• Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water: Be sure to wash your hands, especially before preparing food, before eating, after helping a sick person, after using the toilet, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If you don't have access to hand washing, use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth without washing your hands: This is the main way the virus can enter your body.
• Avoid crowded places and people who are sick: Stay away from people who are coughing and sneezing whenever possible.
• Stay as healthy as possible:Eat a nutritious diet, drink plenty of fluids (water), get enough sleep, and do exercise that suits you.

When should you seek medical advice?

Even if you have been vaccinated against the flu, if you develop any of the following symptoms , call your doctor immediately . Be sure to mention any chronic medical conditions you may have.

Your doctor can run tests to confirm whether you have the flu.

The importance of starting treatment early

Antiviral medicines for the flu are most effective when taken within the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms . These medicines can also help prevent serious complications, such as pneumonia. Your doctor may prescribe one of these medications:

• Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
• Peramivir (Rapivab)
• Zanamivir (Relenza)

Ask your doctor if taking these medications will cause problems with other medications you are taking for your chronic condition.

When to go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU)

Swine flu can sometimes become severe very quickly. You are at higher risk if you have a chronic illness. If you have any of the following warning signs , go to the nearest hospital emergency room (ETU) immediately .

• Difficulty breathing .
• Feeling pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen.
• Sudden loss of consciousness or dizziness.
• Unstoppable vomiting .
• Flu symptoms subside and then reappear with fever and severe cough .

Be very careful about these characteristics.

What if someone in the house gets a fever?

If someone you live with has swine flu, stay away from that person as much as possible.

• Keep the sick person in a separate room: To stop the spread of germs, keep the sick person away from common rooms. If possible, let them use a separate bathroom. If they leave the room, ask them to wear a mask or cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing.
• Don't be the one to take care of the sick person: Just because you have a chronic illness, don't make it your responsibility to take care of the sick person. Choose a healthy person at home to do it.

Also, ask your doctor for advice on whether you should take antiviral medications to prevent the flu from developing.