Swine Flu Symptoms & When to Go to the Doctor

Swine flu, known as the H1N1 flu, is a contagious virus. H1N1 can cause mild to severe illness, and is similar to seasonal flu symptoms but can also include diarrhea and vomiting. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the majority of people who contract the H1N1 flu will have a mild case and will not need medical care or medication. However, knowing when to see your physician is important.

Symptoms

• Common symptoms of the H1N1 flu can include a fever, body aches, cough, sore throat, headache, chills, fatigue, runny or stuffy nose, and for some people, diarrhea and vomiting. Not everyone who develops the H1N1 flu will have a fever. H1N1 is commonly spread when people are in close range of an infected person who is coughing and sneezing. The CDC recommends that if you have flu-like symptoms, you should remain at home except to get medical attention. You should call your physician to inquire if they need to examine you. Certain populations are at greater risk for complications from H1N1. At-risk groups include children younger than 5; people older than 65; and patients with medical conditions such as cancer, lung disease, diabetes, heart disease and weakened immune systems. People who have certain disorders of the kidney, liver, nervous system and muscular system are also at high risk for complications. Healthy people can also become severely ill from the H1N1 flu. You should seek medical care immediately if you experience difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, sudden dizziness, confusion, pain and pressure in the chest or abdomen or severe vomiting. Children should be seen by a medical care provider if they experience fast breathing, trouble breathing, not drinking fluids, bluish color skin, not waking up, not interacting, irritable to the point of not wanting to be held, fever with a rash or if they had flu-like symptoms that improved but then become worse with a fever and a cough.

Treatment

• Physicians will decide if you need antiviral medications to treat H1N1. Antiviral medications are only available via a prescription. Antiviral medications work to lessen flu symptoms and should be started within two days of appearance of your symptoms. If you have the H1N1 flu, the CDC recommends that you remain home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medications. A vaccine is available for the H1N1. You should check with your health care provider about how and when to obtain the vaccine.