The first US swine flu death has put everyone on high alert. Even those who thought they were far away from H1N1 Swine Flu virus have been made to think twice. The situation even gets more appalling for those without health insurance coverage. In the United States alone, there are thousands of people who don't have health insurance.
Therefore, what should a person do if he/she suspects a condition of swine flu and yet one does not have health insurance. According to Kathy Grisham with the Community Clinic in Springdale, there are still a few options for those who don't have affordable health insurance.
However, before exploring all the available options available for those without health insurance, Grisham warns that that the symptoms you have should fit those of the H1N1 swine flu virus less you end up spending more money instead. Since the H1N1 Swine Flu virus was confirmed in the United States, hospitals have seen a surge in the number of people who want to get tested. Others are just afraid they might have the virus. In fact, a majority of these people do not have the symptoms of H1N1 Flu Virus. In any case, they end up causing problems for those needing emergency treatment.
A suspected case of swine flu virus infection occurs if a person has acute febrile respiratory illness with the condition starting within seven days after a close contact with a person who is a confirmed case of H1N1 Swine Flu virus infection. If you don't have Health Insurance and you seek testing, watch out for these symptoms before you make any move.
H1N1 flu virus causes a fever at or above 100 degrees. You may also have muscle aches and pains, cough, and in some situations, diarrhea and vomiting. Conjunctivitis is rare, but has been reported. Severe disease like pneumonia and fatal outcomes have been reported in patients with H1N1 Swine Flu virus infection.
You should only contact a doctor if you have the above symptoms. For those without health insurance, this means saving a trip to doctor's office, in the process you end up saving yourself out-of-pocket medical expenditures. "If you have the symptoms that we discussed then I would recommend that people call their doctor talk to their doctor over the phone and they're going to triage and figure out if they really do have the symptom and if that's what they find, then they would have them come in and do a swab," said Grisham.
The other option for those without health insurance is visiting a free clinic in their area. Most of these clinics are quipped with H1N1 Testing Kits. They should be able to help you out. In the event that you are diagnosed with H1N1 Swine Flu virus, and prescribed anti-viral medication, you will still have to pay for medication yourself.
The following free clinics may be able to help you incase you don't have Health Insurance. However, make sure you call first less you get more frustrations. Good Samaritan Clinic in Fort Smith- 479-783 0233, NWA Free Health and Dental Clinic in Fayetteville- 479-444-7548, CCSF Rogers Clinic- 479-936-8600, CCSF St. Francis Clinic- 479-751-7417.
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