My Arm Still Hurts....A Little

Not too long back, H1N1 was one of the many hot topics we had.
Nowadays, you rarely hear about H1N1.

However, I have heard of people talking about the 2nd wave of H1N1, more 'deadly' than the previous virus.
True or not, I have no idea.

But then, our hospitals now already have the H1N1 vaccine in stock.
And it is free for us, health personnels.

I will be finishing O&G soon.
I will be going to either medical, A&E or surgical.
I am hoping that I will go into medical.
If so, I would be meeting many patients who might be having the so called 2nd wave of H1N1.

Although I think H1N1 is over-rated, but there is no harm in getting a vaccine, right?
So, that is what I did.
I got myself the vaccine last Friday.

However, there is one vaccine that I have not decided whether or not to take.
The HPV vaccine.

HPV is basically a sexually transmitted infection, which in the female population can cause cervical cancer.
The vaccine is actually quite a recent discovery, but is said to be protective against the cancer.

Yes, I really think it is a good vaccine, as in, it is quite beneficial.
But it costs RM200 per dose, and one has to put 3 doses which comes to a total of RM600!!

RM600!
Which is why I am still thinking whether or not to get the vaccine for myself.
Do I really need it? :P

Sick Of H1N1

Recently, H1N1 has been quite a hot topic.
Everyone, everywhere is talking about the latest morbidity and mortality statistics.

All of a sudden, everyone is wearing masks.
The emergency rooms (and I'm sure that the outpatient department) is crowded with people who think they have H1N1.
People are demanding for tests and medications.

I just don't get it.
I don't know how many times the government has told that not everyone needs treatment.
Only if you are in the high risk group, you will be given treatment.
If not, all you have to do is quarantine your self.
Why do all this people have to crowd the A&E like that?

The other day, at 12am, the A&E waiting area and the locum room waiting area was full of people.
Come on la...it's not like you develop flu at night..if you MUST seek treatment, why can't you come earlier? Why so late at night? Because your work is more important?

Dear people, the mask you wear - it is NOT impermeable to viruses.
If you really want to avoid the flu, stay at home, rest.
If you don't have to go the hospital, then don't.
I still see people bringing their barely-1-year-old children to the hospital to visit sick relatives.
Is that necessary?
Don't they realize that hospitals are the homes for all the viruses and bacterias of the world?
Why do you think so many people fall sick IN the hospital?

Yes, I know people died of H1N1.
Yes, I know you are worried that you might get the infection.
But going to the hospital whenever you get the flu is not the solution.
If you are really unwell, by all means, go to the hospital.
If all you have is flu and a slight fever, stay at home, drink lots of water, do whatever it is you do when you had the flu before H1N1.

One thing you can do, and should do is avoid spreading the infection to others, which means minimal contact with other people. Just because you have an infection doesn't mean another person has to have it too, right?

I'm sure 1Malaysia doesn't mean every catching the same infection at the same time, right?