Swine Flu Symptoms

H1N1 virus (swine flu) was first discovered in humans in the United States in April 2009. This new influenza virus is also causing illness in people in Canada and Mexico. Although the symptoms are similar to those of regular human flu, as of Sept. 3, 2009, with 53 states and territories reporting, there were 9,079 hospitalized cases and 593 deaths caused by the swine flu virus, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Symptoms

• Swine flu symptoms can consist of fatigue, chills, body aches, sore throat, cough, headache and fever. There are also some reported cases of vomiting, lack of appetite, lethargy and diarrhea, which are also common in regular human flu. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there are more severe illnesses, like respiratory failure and pneumonia, associated with the infection of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus.

Diagnosis

• H1N1 (swine flu) virus can be diagnosed by the collection of a respiratory specimen within the first four to five days of initial illness. However, children may be infectious for 10 days or longer. The diagnosis is confirmed by sending the specimen to the CDC laboratory for testing.

Vaccine/Treatment

• The most effective way to minimize sickness or even death from the influenza virus is vaccination. Efforts of research have led to the developments and progression of seed vaccine for the H1N1(swine flu) virus. However, if there is a worldwide spread of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus, it could take several months to develop an effective vaccine. Antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir can be used to treat severe cases of influenza as well as the novel H1N1virus.

Prevention

• There are certain precautions you can take to avoid contracting and spreading the H1N1 virus, because this virus can be spread through coughing or sneezing from person to person. Cleaning your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer can help you avoid contracting and spreading germs.

  To avoid contracting the virus, you should not touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unclean hands. You should also try to avoid any close contact with people who are sick.

  To prevent spreading the H1N1 virus, keep away from others as much as possible if you're sick. People with seasonal flu can be contagious from one day before developing symptoms and up to seven days after. You should also wear a face mask to avoid spreading your illness.

Warning Signs

• Although the initial signs and symptoms can be closely related to the regular human flu, there are some emergency warning signs that should not be ignored and that require urgent medical attention in children and adults. These signs, in children include not waking up or interacting, severe or persistent vomiting, flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and a worse cough. Also watch for a child not wanting to be held because of irritability, not drinking enough fluids, gray or bluish skin, fast breathing or trouble breathing.

  In adults, you should seek emergency medical attention if they experience sudden dizziness, confusion, severe or constant vomiting, pressure or pain in the chest or abdomen, flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with a worse cough and fever, and shortness of breath and problems breathing as well.

  Due to the risk of Reye's syndrome, aspirin or products containing aspirin should not be given to any suspected or confirmed cases of novel H1N1 virus infection in anyone 18 years old or younger.