Penza, 20 January 2016. PenzaNews. The treatment of the influenza H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, must begin within the first 48 hours after the first symptoms of the sickness, said the acting Health Minister of the Penza region Oksana Chizhova during the press conference held on Wednesday, January 20.

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“The H1N1 influenza has atypical early symptoms, such as possible nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. It infects the respiratory passages very quickly, with a possible pneumonia and death,” she said.

According to Oksana Chizhova, effectiveness of the treatment is defined by how quickly it begins.

“People must seek medical attention as soon as they feel any of the first symptoms,” the acting minister stressed.

All medical personnel in the Penza region have been instructed against written acknowledgment about the swine flu treatment regiment, Oksana Chizhova added.

“Do not attempt to treat the flu on your own. It must be treated only using the medicine prescripted by the doctor,” she explained, and particularly stressed that swine flu cannot be treated by any alternative drugs recommended in drugstores.

Moreover, the acting head of the Health Ministry asked the citizens to take a job leave if they are experiencing the swine flu symptoms, in order to prevent the spread of the sickness.

As of Monday, January 18, the hospitals of the region now require all staff to wear face masks and restrict access to patients with viral infections, she announced.

“We have published a cheatsheet with recommendations on how to act during the epidemic-prone season on our website. We will be giving them out for free to parents in kindergartens and schools,” Oksana Chizhova said.

She recommended the people who did not take flu shots to read through it.

“We hope that the people will follow our recommendations and take all necessary measures,” Oksana Chizhova noted.