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Influenza
A - H1N1 (swine flu) H1N1 flu virus information, news and statistics as of Monday February 6, 2012 |
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H1N1
(swine flu) symptoms
It is important that you learn the symptoms of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus so you can easily recognize it in yourself and others. To date, the vast majority of H1N1 (swine flu) cases have been mild, with symptoms similar to those of the seasonal flu. Only a small percentage of people have had more serious symptoms and required professional medical attention. It is important to have a working thermometer at home, as an increase in temperature is a key symptom. The typical symptoms of H1N1 (swine flu) are: • a sudden fever of 38°C/100.4°F or above, and Other symptoms of H1N1 (swine flu) may include: • headache, Some people with H1N1 (swine flu) have also reported vomiting. If you or a member of your family has any of the above mentioned symptoms, you may have the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. Cases have been confirmed in all age groups, but children and younger people are much more likely to be affected. To date, few cases have been confirmed in older adults. The severity of H1N1 (swine flu) symptoms can vary from mild to severe and may sometimes require hospitalization. Like the seasonal flu, H1N1 (swine flu) may worsen existing chronic medical conditions. In some cases, severe complications such as pneumonia and respiratory failure can cause death. Death occurs more often in cases of H1N1 (swine flu) from secondary bacterial infection of the lungs. If you believe that you may have H1N1 (swine flu), the next step is to determine if you are in a high-risk group or have emergency warning signs.
What to do if I show symptoms of H1N1 (swine flu)? The question of what to do if you show H1N1 symptoms varies greatly from country to country. In England an online questionnaire determines if you have the flu and issues an antiviral medication prescription number that a ‘Flu Friend’ collects from a local collection point. In other counties the procedure varies from driving to the front of the doctor’s office and honking your horn to contacting officials, who will promptly come to treat you and quarantine your home. We have developed a list of ‘norms’ from national and international centers for disease control of what to do if you think that you are infected with the H1N1 flu virus. All of the major health agencies stress that, for the vast majority of people, H1N1 (swine flu) is a mild illness. They say that most people recover by staying in bed, drinking plenty of water and taking over-the-counter flu medication. This seems to contradict the use of an antiviral drug such as Tamiflu, which can help reduce the symptoms and duration of the infection. It is believed that Tamiflu is most effective if you start the medication within the first 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. If you lay in bed treating H1N1 as a mild illness, two days and the effectiveness of antiviral medication can easily pass. Some people are at more risk of serious illness if they contract the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. These include persons in high-risk groups and persons with emergency warning signs. If you or someone you know have H1N1 symptoms AND are in a high-risk group OR show emergency warning signs it is important to contact your personal physician or other medical professional immediately to determine your next steps and if you should start taking antiviral medication. The majority of health agencies seem to suggest that the initial contact with your health official should be via telephone.
H1N1 (swine flu) high-risk groups If you fall into any of the following high-risk groups, contact your personal physician or other medical professional immediately. • pregnant women, If you show any of the following emergency warning signs, contact your personal physician or other medical professional immediately.
H1N1 (swine flu) emergency warning signs in children • fast breathing or trouble breathing,
H1N1 (swine flu) emergency warning signs in adults • difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
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