Symptoms & Treatment

Symptoms :

H1N1 flu symptoms often begin abruptly and mimic seasonal influenza:

  • Fever, usually 100.4 or higher

  • Severe body aches

  • Cough and/or sore throat

  • Fatigue

  • Headache

  • Vomiting and diarrhea are possible (more common in children than adults)

Treatment:

When you are sick with influenza like illness:

  • Rest

  • Stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care or for other necessities.

  • Fluids – water, tea, sports drinks, etc.

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a fresh tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. DO NOT RE-USE TISSUES

  • Fever reducers (Tylenol® (acetaminophen) or Advil® (ibuprofen) or Aleve®(naproxen) only)

  • Possibly an anti-viral medication such as Relenza® or Tamiflu® started in the first 48 hours of illness.

Your health care provider can assess whether you are in a high risk group warranting the use of anti-virals. Individuals exhibiting influenza like symptoms are strongly urged to stay at home until they have been free of fever for 24 hours. Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever reducing medication.

Signs of Complications:

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 that does not pass

  • Confusion

  • Severe or persistent vomiting

  • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Flu Self Triage

H1N1 Graph