If you are sick with an influenza-like illness
TOPICS
- Symptoms of influenza
- What to do if you have symptoms
- When to contact a health care provider - Includes emergency warning signs
Symptoms of H1N1 Influenza
The symptoms of H1N1 influenza are similar to seasonal influenza. You may have some or all of them:
- Fever higher than 100 degrees
- Body aches
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Respiratory congestion
- Possible vomiting and diarrhea (in addition to respiratory symptoms)
- Fatigue
- Chills
If you have these symptoms and feel sick enough that you need to see a health care provider, call ahead of time and let them know your symptoms. They may have additional procedures they will want you to follow.
Is it a cold or the flu? - from Mt. Dept. of Health and Human Services
What to do if you have symptoms
- Rest as much as possible
- Drink LOTS of fluids, especially water, not caffeine or sugar-based drinks
- Cover your cough
- Wash your hands often
- Use over-the-counter pain relievers and cough relaxers
- Stay home from work or school until your temperature has been below 100 degrees, without the use of fever reducers like aspirin or acetaminophen, for a day.
For most people with influenza like illnesses, there is no need to get tested or go to a health care provider.
Stay home and take care of yourself or family members.
If you live in areas where people have been identified with 2009 H1N1 flu and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people. CDC recommends that you 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 a fever-reducing medicine.)
Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.
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. A list of people who are at higher risk for complications is on our Antiviral Medication page.
When to contact a health care provider
Certain people are at higher risk for complications from influenza, and should consult with their health care provider about antiviral medications. Please call your health care provider before hand to let them know your symptoms and follow any special procedures they may have for reducing the spread of the virus.
If you or a family member are ill with influenza 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
Do I need to go the emergency room if I am only a little sick? No . . .
The emergency room should be used for people who are very sick. You should not go to the emergency room if you are only mildly ill. If you have the emergency warning signs of flu sickness, you should go to the emergency room. If you get sick with flu symptoms and are at high risk of flu complications or you are concerned about your illness, call your health care provider for advice. If you go to the emergency room and you are not sick with the flu, you may catch it from people who do have it.
Alaska's Pandemic Influenza Home Care Guide
MCCHD on Facebook
MCCHD on Twitter