By Zulkiple Ibrahim
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 (Bernama) -- A public hospital here has recently distributed hundreds of flyers reminding visitors not to bring little children while visiting hospital wards particularly in the wake of the latest development of the H1N1 epidemic in the country.
Even without the H1N1 virus, there is a long-standing regulation that bars visitors from bringing their children aged 12 years and below to hospital wards, said a senior nursing officer of the hospital.
"Parents didn't take it seriously if we reminded them not to bring in small children into the hospital wards. I have told mothers carrying babies and toddlers that the children were too small to visit the hospital", she said.
She said some parents heeded the advice but others would simply ignore reminders by nurses and even security guards.
Some even sarcastically retorted " we know lah...' and as they proceeded to enter the wards with their little children.
"It is not safe for little children to visit a hospital. It is not safe for them, and it is not safe for the patients," she added.
SUSCEPTIBLE TO INFECTIONS
Small children and those with chronic and debilitating medical problems are very susceptible to infections.
"When we say chronic diseases, it covers patients that have diabetes, renal failure, asthma and other respiratory problems as well as a host of other diseases", said a Dr K. Regesh, a specialist on respiratory diseases.
He said for these patients and the small children, their immune system is lower than that of healthier persons, hence they are prone to infections, not only to the H1N1 virus but also to other infective diseases.
"At the hospital, there are worse germs there and please do not bring your small children into wards even to say 'hello' to the patients.
"If you cannot visit the hospital without having to bring your children, then don't visit. Maybe you can bring your maid or someone else who can stay with your small children in the waiting room," he said.
For working parents and those who have returned from hospital visits, Dr Regesh has this to say:
"After returning from visiting sick relatives or friends in the hospital, take a shower and change into fresh clothes before cuddling your babies. Do the same when you return from work, take a bath first and put on clean clothes before touching your children".
SELF-CONTROL MEASURES
Recently Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that self-control measures by the public are crucial towards stemming the tide of the spread of H1N1 epidemic.
Among these measures are wear a mask if you have fever and are coughing or sneezing to avoid infecting family members, wash your hands regularly more so if you are coughing or sneezing or having a sore throat.
If you are feeling unwell, go to the nearest hospital.
If you are sick, stay within your house and distance yourself from family members.
Avoid public spots and the crowds.
-- BERNAMA
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