Influenza-Like Illness (ILI)

On 18 Aug, I return from Pulau Pangkor, on the way I feel very tired, but the weather is so hot, I cant sleep well in the car. So bad staying in a resort which never maintain their air condition unit. Instead of cool air, it is simply working as a fan. @_@
On 19 Aug, I feel little uncomfortable, a feeling like the whole body feel warm. I brought my body thermometer along as recently influenza is so scaring... Starting to take body temperature measurement hourly, highest record 37.4C, it seems nothing wrong.
20 Aug, I know something definitely goes wrong. As usual I took out my body thermometer, oh my goodness, 37.7C, and I believe it will goes up when time goes by. I skip my lunch as I want to get more rest. The afternoon my body temperature goes up to 38.4C. Immediately I went to a clinic, after inspection from a chinese doctor, he give me a influenza rapid test. After 15 minutes waiting, he told me the result is positive.

--GG-- I am influenza patient, H1N1?

The doctor give me some common medicine, for fever, running nose, cough, asthma (though I only have fever and slight asthma) and ask me to go to general hospital or private hospital for antibiotic and antiviral with a letter. He told me my case not required admittance to hospital but must self quarantine for at least 7 days. So I head to Gleneagles Hospital.

Again, I was told to visit the A&E dept in hospital, being consulted by an Indian doctor, finally I know what is the meaning of Influenza rapid test. I actually have a lot of queries after I read poster / memo in hospital. "This is not a H1N1 test" bla bla bla... So what is this influenza rapid test for?

The answer is: This rapid test is suggested by WHO to have a quick diagnose whether the patient should receive tamiflu (antibiotic and antiviral) treatment. This rapid test is not 100% accurate and it is not a H1N1 test. The result simply tell you that your flu belongs to group A or group B. There are many kind of flu fall under these group. A very common harmless flu can belongs to group A too! You will not known whether you are H1N1 patient unless your sample was sent to specific laboratory and it will required some time before the result is out. To take precaution and avoid awaiting time, WHO recommend influenza rapid test a guideline for antiviral treatment.

So I received my antibiotic and antiviral. What? Just medicine only it costs me RM233.50!! Oh my goodness, and I only know that this medicine is actually manufactured in Malaysia, Sungai Petani!! My goodness. Immediately I take so light food and consume the medicine. Thanks god after a day I feel much much better and my body temperature back to normal.

After 2 days, I feel nothing else wrong, but of course I remember doctor's advice which finish the medicine and self quarantine. I always stay in my small room till now... My last dose of medicine is on Tuesday morning. So far my body reporting everything is fine. Thanks god for your blessing. My parents are healthy too. For precaution, I know I will wear a mask when outside as now is really a very very critical time.