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How Do I Treat the Swine Flu?

H1N1 flu, also known as swine flu, is a flu made up of human, swine and avian influenza viruses. Like seasonal flu, swine flu spreads easily and can cause mild or severe illness. Although it cannot be cured, there are steps you can take to treat swine and reduce the severity of the symptoms until the virus runs its course.

  1. Home Treatment

    • Most otherwise healthy people can treat flu symptoms at home and expect recovery within a week, according to the Mayo Clinic. Stay home and get plenty of rest, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends. Drink plenty of clear fluids. You will know you are getting enough fluids when your urine is clear or pale yellow. When treating children younger than 2, use a cool mist humidifier and suction the nose as needed with a bulb syringe.

    Over-the-Counter Medications

    • Use over-the-counter cold and flu medications to get relief. Treat fever and body aches with medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen. Children 5 and older can be given over-the-counter children's medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, according to the CDC. Ask your doctor about treatments for children younger than 4. Never give products containing aspirin to children or teenagers suffering from swine flu; this can put them at risk of developing a dangerous condition known as Reye's syndrome.

    Antiviral Medications

    • Ask your doctor whether you are a candidate for treatment with antiviral medications. Antivirals can reduce the severity of flu symptoms and shorten the duration of illness, but they generally are reserved for hospitalized people and those at high risk of developing flu complications. Young children, people older than 65, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions might be considered for antiviral treatment.

    Warning

    • Seek immediate medical attention if you experience breathing problems, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, or severe or persistent vomiting, according to the CDC. Signs that a child needs immediate medical care include fast breathing or breathing difficulties, blue skin, not drinking enough, not waking up or interacting, irritability to the point of refusing to be held, fever or worsening of symptoms after improvement, or fever with a rash, according to the CDC.

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