Swine Flu, which hospital?

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  1. #1

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    Swine Flu, which hospital?

    If you find yourself in the situation where a family member has caught swine flu, which type of hospital would you choose visit? why?

    Yes, we can afford a private hospital and we also have insurance but I feel that goverment hospitals are more experienced in cases like this.

    Looking for opinions whether to let the govt hospitals treat this person or go with a high end private hospital. Money is not an issue.

    HC


  2. #2

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    Why would you visit any hospital? Unless they get complications in which case the closest emergency dept might be most appropriate...


  3. #3

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    If critical care is needed, you may find you are transferred from a private hospital to a public one. Check where your nearest regional acute hospital is, just in case..


  4. #4

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    If as Moving says the family member has complications or has one of the serious underlying medical conditions, then I would go to a public hospital. They are geared up for it I would imagine more than the private ones. Beds are filling up fast though so I would catch it soon if you want one.


  5. #5

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    We visited the emergency department of a private hospital last night as fever of 40C/103F+ would not go down with the usual methods (Nurofen, cold towels etc).

    They perscribed 5 other/stronger medications to try to bring the fever down but so far it has not worked.
    We were advised that if fever doesnt go down, the next step would be to try a more direct drip method with stronger medicines (and possibly Tamiflu).

    I'm trying to decide whether to go back to the private hospital or to go to a Government hospital. Money not being an issue, would you expect much difference between the 2?

    Last edited by HowardCoombs; 28-09-2009 at 01:58 PM.

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by HowardCoombs:
    We visited the emergency department of a private hospital last night as fever of 40C/103F+ would not go down with the usual methods (Nurofen, cold towels etc).

    They perscribed 5 other/stronger medications to try to bring the fever down but so far it has not worked.
    We were advised that if fever doesnt go down, the next step would be to try a more direct drip method with stronger medicines (and possibly Tamiflu).

    I'm trying to decide whether to go back to the private hospitalor to go to a Government hospital. Money not being an issue, would you expect much difference between the 2?
    If the fever is still over 40 degrees then I would go to the hospital now and personally I would go to the public one. If it has been at 40 plus for 24 hours then it needs dealing with IMHO.

  7. #7

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    The Prince of Wales seems to be doing ok:
    City flu strategy may set roadmap for global fight - The Standard


  8. #8

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    Be aware that Tamiflu has no known effect if treatment is commenced more than 40 hours after symptoms first appear (and only pretty minimal effect even if started in the first 40 hours).

    Otherwise get yourself to Queen Mary's if on HK Island.


  9. #9

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    Quote Originally Posted by HowardCoombs:
    We were advised that if fever doesnt go down, the next step would be to try a more direct drip method with stronger medicines (and possibly Tamiflu).
    Does your family have a GP that you see regularly? I would be on the phone with her/him and go where she/ he suggests. Would be concerned about the competency of any health care worker that tried to give Tamiflu more than 48 hours after the first onset of flu symptons (in such a case it would be wholly ineffective and even when taken on time efficacy is debatable). Tamiflu, even when taken properly, may shorten the duration of illness, but would not deal with the immediate issue of a high fever.

  10. #10

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    don't take the tamiflu unless it's within the 48 hours of onset of symptoms. you can serious side effects from it and it won't help you. The doctors in HK don't seem to realize this and give it out like fing candy. With a high fever going for that long I would go to the emergency room. I went to princess margarets when I was diagnosed and they took wonderful care of me.


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