The following information is based on current recommendations from the CDC .
Seasonal and H1N1 (swine) flu both typically begin with a fever (often high), headache, muscle pain, cough, runny nose, chills, and sore throat. Sometimes children may have an upset stomach and diarrhea. The cough may last two to seven days.
If you are sick, stay home until your fever has been gone for 24 hours. Also, you can take medications to relieve flu symptoms (but never give aspirin to ill children or teenagers without first speaking with your doctor). It is not necessary to go to the Emergency Room or Urgent Care for typical flu symptoms.
If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. This includes pregnant women, young people under 24 years old, and people of any age with chronic medical conditions.
Emergency warning signs that require urgent medical attention include:
In children:
Fast breathing or troubled breathing
Bluish or gray skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Severe or persistent vomiting
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and a cough
In adults:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and a cough
Vaccination is the best prevention against both seasonal and H1N1 flu. Also, wash your hands often, use cough etiquette and avoid people who are sick.
If you have questions or concerns about flu symptoms, please contact your physician. For more information on the seasonal flu and swine flu, contact your local health department or visit the CDC at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.
Vaccination and Prevention
Both seasonal flu and the 2009 H1N1 (swine) flu, are contagious respiratory illnesses caused by influenza viruses. Vaccines are the best tool we have to prevent both seasonal and swine flu.
This year, there are separate vaccines for seasonal flu and H1N1 flu and most people would benefit from receiving both. The seasonal flu vaccine does not provide protection against 2009 H1N1 flu, and the 2009 H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine – they are intended to be used together.
Pregnant women, young people up to 24 years old, and people with underlying health conditions are especially vulnerable to the H1N1 virus and are a priority for the H1N1 vaccine. Infants under six months cannot receive the vaccine, so their caregivers also need to be vaccinated.
For the seasonal flu vaccine, it is most important for children from 6 months through 18 years of age, anyone 50 years of age or older, pregnant women, and those with underlying health conditions.
In addition to being vaccinated, wash your hands often and use cough etiquette. Avoid people who are sick.
Your local health department will be providing additional information regarding H1N1 flu vaccination clinics as the supply becomes available. Vaccination information is also available on the CDC website, www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.
You can also find information on the seasonal and H1N1 flu at flu.gov.
