What to Do if You Have Been Diagnosed with Swine Flu?

In this article you will learn:

• Standard flu vs. swine influenza
• Swine flu symptoms for both children and adults
• Treatment and practices to assist in recovery from H1N1 flu
• Swine flu vaccine

It’s currently the biggest concern: You go to work and find out three of your co-workers have been diagnosed with the swine flu. You pick up your kids from school and get a hand out flier sheet with information on potential school closure due to the flu. Worse yet, you have some symptoms and after visiting your doctor you find out you have swine flu. What do you do now? Have you considered getting the swine flu vaccine?

First, understand that swine flu symptoms vary from mild to severe. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control): “The symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, including 2009 H1N1 and have respiratory symptoms without a fever. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.”

Well, that’s enough to make you down right scared.

Something important to note: In the standard influenza strain, those people that are considered ‘high risk’ are advised to get a swine flu vaccine. These people include: those that are 65 years and older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions. Something different about the H1N1 virus seems to be that adults over the age of 64 seem to not be high risk. Studies show that children and people younger than 60 do not have any antibodies to combat the H1N1. About one third of those over the age of 60 do have antibodies against this virus.

It’s also important to remember that you must be diagnosed by your medical professional so that you can differentiate between the standard influenza and the swine flu symptoms.

The CDC information on emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention:

In children, 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, 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

If you ARE diagnosed to have the swine flu:

1. Stay home.

Many companies are sending emails to staff indicating that employees should not come into work if they have the flu. The 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.

2. Segregate yourself as much as possible in your home environment.

3. Special Medication.

The CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with 2009 H1N1 flu virus. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. During the current pandemic, the priority use for influenza antiviral drugs is to treat severe influenza illness (for example hospitalized patients) and people who are sick who have a condition that places them at high risk for serious flu-related complications.

4. Use the standard prevention sense to help protect your family and friends from exposure.

• 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. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.

5. In addition to medication, make sure your keep your immune system boosted by eating properly and good fluid intake.

Check to make sure that any high quality vitamins and supplements will not have adverse interactions with your medication.

6. Keeping everything clean.

Make sure everything you touch, including your food implements and laundry are cleaned with warm soapy water. They don’t have to be cleaned separately.

7. Seek additional medical help if your symptoms persist or get worse.

The CDC is keeping their website constantly updated with new information on: Swine flu, swine flu vaccine, swine flu symptoms and swine flu outbreak state-by-state.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.