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Awareness of Swine Flu Plays Vital Social Role

The experts also say that those recovering from the infections may need psychiatric help before being able to integrate with the society normally.

The call comes amidst news reports that people returning to the UAE from countries, reporting an increase in the number of infections, were increasingly being isolated despite the UAE Ministry of Health’s recently launched media campaigns to raise awareness on the disease.

While residents said they would definitely avoid coming in contact with people who have come from such countries, doctors confirmed that patients indeed wanted to avoid anyone showing slight flu-like symptoms.

Stigmatising a person because he/she belongs to a community where the disease has spread rapidly is stretching things too far, said Dr Suresh Menon, Specialist Physician, Internal Medicine at Jebel Al Hospital.

“However, I have had patients saying that they would not meet with people showing flu-like symptoms,” he added.

He also said that H1N1 stigmatisation was similar to that of HIV/AIDS.

“Last year, the US reported 32,000 deaths caused by common flu in a year, which if compared, with the flu seem to be more deadly,” he adds.

Dr Menon also said that patients recovering from the disease might require psychological support depending on their condition. “Sometimes we have to offer help to people who have undergone a heart-attack since they may become depressed,” he said.

“More than discrimination, it is out of fear that people are alienating some communities for no fault of theirs,” says Dr Linda Sakr, Counselling Psychologist, Dubai Community Health Centre.

Though it is a normal reaction to an abnormal situation, people should try and avoid over reacting since it may worsen the situation than better it, she said.

“The people being stigmatised may lose their confidence and it may eventually reflect on their behaviour and create distances among people,” added Dr Sakr.

According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, “Pointing a finger helps turn a mysterious illness into something that feels more controllable. People with a different national, ethnic, or religious background have historically been accused of spreading germs, even when science shows this is untrue.

“A whole country or group of people may be erroneously singled out —rather than placing the blame where it should lie, with the germ. Preventing stigma is an important way to prevent the spread of disease, while simultaneously preventing discrimination.”

However, Dr Raymond Hamden, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist at the Human Relations Institute at Knowledge Village said, “It is better to be cautious than alarmed.”

“Not knowing about the disease may force people to behave cautiously. However, if the behaviour becomes obsessive, people may tend to wash hands often and avoid people,” he said, adding that this may lead to higher incident rates of isolation.

While many may behave obsessively, several may not be overtly affected, he said. “Many people are travelling as usual,” he added.

“Raising awareness about the issue can help dispel wrong notions,” said
Dr Sakr.

On Sunday, World Health Organization reported 151 confirmed cases in the region with no deaths reported.

The highest number of cases has been reported from Saudi Arabia (34) and Egypt (34) followed by Kuwait with 18 cases. — asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com

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