According to a statement from the ministry, 301 people have been treated for swine flu at hospitals, 59 of whom have been treated in intensive care units. Sixty-three of the swine flu victims thus far had a chronic disease, and two of them were pregnant women, the ministry said.The ministry once again warned people in high-risk groups, in particular pregnant women, children below the age of 2 and sufferers of chronic diseases, to go to a hospital when they begin to show symptoms of swine flu. “Those not included in these groups should rest at home when swine flu symptoms emerge, but they should immediately consult a doctor if they have difficulty breathing, chest pain, a fever persisting for more than three days, constant vomiting or somnolence.”
The ministry also said the best precaution to take for those in high-risk groups is to receive a swine flu shot.
Meanwhile, the Samsun deputy provincial health director, Erdinç Özoğlu, said everyone in Turkey will inevitably encounter the swine flu virus within two years either through the vaccine or through contact as it spreads rapidly. He also stressed that nearly 98 percent of all flu cases in Turkey are swine flu cases. Noting that since symptoms of seasonal influenza and those of H1N1 are almost the same, he said most people do not even notice he or she is suffering from swine flu. “Swine flu does not affect everyone seriously. The virus can be overcome by eating fresh fruits and resting. So, although there are around 200 patients who are being treated at hospitals, there are most likely thousands of cases,” he said.
