What to Do If You Get Flu-Like Symptoms

[Guest guest]

Since this flu is different than the typical seasonal flus and often causes

vomiting and diarrhea, we all need to be more careful re prevention.

Flu stats state by state, updated weekly:

http://www.cdc.gov/H1n1flu/update.htm

CDC

What to Do If You Get Flu-Like Symptoms

August 5, 2009 5:00 PM ET

Background

The novel H1N1 flu virus is causing illness in infected persons in the United

States and countries around the world. CDC expects that illnesses may continue

for some time. As a result, you or people around you may become ill. If so, you

need to recognize the symptoms and know what to do.

Symptoms

The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of

seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body

aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

**A significant number of people who have been infected with novel H1N1 flu

virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

The high risk groups for novel H1N1 flu are not known at this time, but it's

possible that they may be the same as for seasonal influenza. People at higher

risk of serious complications from seasonal flu include people age 65 years and

older, children younger than 5 years old, pregnant women, people of any age with

chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), and

people who are immunosuppressed (e.g., taking immunosuppressive medications,

infected with HIV).

Avoid Contact With Others

If you are sick, you may be ill for a week or longer. You should stay home and

keep away from others as much as possible, including avoiding travel and not

going to work or school, for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except

to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without

the use of fever-reducing medicine.) If you leave the house to seek medical

care, wear a facemask, if available and tolerable, and cover your coughs and

sneezes with a tissue. In general, you should avoid contact with other people as

much as possible to keep from spreading your illness, especially people at

increased risk of severe illness from influenza. With seasonal flu, people may

be contagious from one day before they develop symptoms to up to 7 days after

they get sick. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be

contagious for longer periods. People infected with the novel H1N1 are likely

to have similar patterns of infectiousness as with seasonal flu.

Treatment is Available for Those Who Are Seriously III

It is expected that most people will recover without needing medical care.

If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications,

contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care

provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed. Be aware

that if the flu becomes widespread, less testing will be needed, so your health

care provider may decide not to test for the flu virus.

Antiviral drugs can be given to treat those who become severely ill with

influenza. These antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an

inhaler) with activity against influenza viruses, including novel H1N1 flu

virus. These medications must be prescribed by a health care professional.

There are two influenza antiviral medications that are recommended for use

against novel H1N1 flu. The drugs that are used for treating novel H1N1 flu are

called oseltamivir (trade name Tamiflu ®) and zanamivir (Relenza ®). As the

novel H1N1 flu spreads, these antiviral drugs may become in short supply.

Therefore, the drugs may be given first to those people who have been

hospitalized or are at high risk of severe illness from flu. The drugs work best

if given within 2 days of becoming ill, but may be given later if illness is

severe or for those at a high risk for complications.

Aspirin or aspirin-containing products (e.g., bismuth subsalicylate – Pepto

Bismol) should not be administered to any confirmed or suspected ill case of

novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection aged 18 years old and younger due to

the risk of Reye's syndrome. For relief of fever, other anti-pyretic medications

are recommended such as acetaminophen or non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

For more information about Reye's syndrome, visit the National Institute of

Health website.

•Check ingredient labels on over-the-counter cold and flu medications to see if

they contain aspirin.

•Children 5 years of age and older and teenagers with the flu can take medicines

without aspirin, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and ibuprofen (Advil®,

Motrin®, Nuprin®), to relieve symptoms.

•Children younger than 4 years of age should NOT be given over-the-counter cold

medications without first speaking with a health care provider.

Emergency Warning Signs

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek

emergency medical care.

In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

•Fast breathing or trouble 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 worse cough

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

•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 worse cough

Protect Yourself, Your Family, and Community

•Stay informed. Health officials will provide additional information as it

becomes available. Visit the CDC H1N1 Flu website.

•Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the

tissue in the trash after you use it.

•Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or

sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners* are also effective.

•

•Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

•Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

•If you are sick with a flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after

your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your

fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from

others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others sick.

•If you are sick and sharing a common space with other household members in your

home, wear a facemask, if available and tolerable, to help prevent spreading the

virus to others. For more information, see the Interim Recommendations for

Facemask and Respirator Use.

•Learn more about how to take care of someone who is ill in " Taking Care of a

Sick Person in Your Home "

•Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds, and

other social distancing measures.

•If you don't have one yet, consider developing a family emergency plan as a

precaution. This should include storing a supply of extra food, medicines, and

other essential supplies. Further information can be found in the " Flu Planning

Checklist