Wondering if you have a cold, the seasonal flu or H1N1 flu often called the Swine flu.
The symptoms for the common cold and the flu are definitely different.
Flu Sign: 1.
The flu comes on suddenly.
You get up feeling fine but sometime during the day you start to get aching and shivering.
2.
A fever usually accompanies the aches when you have the flu.
3.
You might also have a headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat and/or nasal congestion.
4.
Sometimes vomiting or diarrhea accompany the flu, but usually in children.
Cold Symptoms: 1.
Usually develops over a few days.
2.
May or may not have a sore throat and cough.
3.
Nasal congestion that may be accompanied by a headache if the sinus are inflamed.
4.
Usually there is no fever or aches with a cold.
How do you know if you have H1N1 Flu Strain? You won't.
Unless your doctor tests you with a swab of nasal secretions.
But remember, far more people die from the usual flu strain than are reported dying from the H1N1 strain.
And the treatment is the same for H1Ni as for the seasonal flu.
Nevertheless, it does seem to be quite contagious.
So protect yourself and those around you.
New research suggests the H1N1 virus can spread many days after the fever ends.
Swine flu appears to be contagious longer than the seasonal flu.
You're probably contagious for about a week.
So if you care about your family, friends, and co-workers - take the week off.
Get your laptop and work from home.
And, as mentioned above, take particular care as long as you are coughing.
When the coughing stops, that is probably a better sign of when a H1N1 patient is no longer contagious.
What Are Treatments for the Flu? 1.
Stay HOME and rest.
Bed rest is the best.
You don't want to weaken your body by expending energy needed just to get dressed for work.
This is a time when your body needs its strength to fight the virus.
2.
Drink plenty of fluids to keep from getting dehydrated.
3.
Don't drink alcohol because this can increase dehydration and weaken your immune system's response.
4.
Don't smoke - it is not good for your respiratory system.
5.
Do take over the counter pain relievers (but don't give to children or teens) for your head ache or muscle aches.
6.
Avoid infecting others.
Stay in a separate room and try to use a separate bathroom.
Your wearing a mask may help not spread the illness to those around you.
But from what I've read, a mask for the healthy people does not protect them and may actually give a false sense of security.
7.
Some doctors are prescribing an antiviral such as Tamiflu or Relenza, which may shorten the course of the illness by a day or two if the medication is given within the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
8.
Without the antiviral medication, expect to recover in about five days.
Yes, this means you should be in bed for five days.
Always stay home if you have a fever or think you may be coming down with the flu.
Adults can spread the flu to others up to five days after getting sick.
A general rule of thumb is to stay home for 24 hours after the fever is gone (without taking fever-lowering medications).
That gives your body one more day to recover.
However, if your cough or congestion hasn't diminished much from its peak, you could still be infectious.
9.
Be sure to talk with your doctor if you are a high risk patient with a history of pneumonia, sepsis or severe asthma attacks.
And of course, people ages 65 and older, those with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women and young children.
Normally you should not need to go to the hospital with H1N1.
But the virus can lead to other illnesses - bronchitis, pneumonia, sepsis and asthma flare-ups.
Emergency signs for children with flu - whether it be H1N1 or seasonal flu: 1.
Fast or labored breathing.
2.
Bluish skin color - indicates not getting enough oxygen.
3.
Not drinking enough fluids - at risk for dehydration 4.
Not waking up or interacting - very severe case.
5.
Being so irritable that the child doesn't want to be held - also indication of more severe illness.
6.
The return of flu symptoms after appearing to recover.
This may indicate a secondary illness or that it wasn't the flu.
7.
Fever with a rash - which may indicate an illness other than the flu.
Danger signs for adults with flu: 1.
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath (an indication of pneumonia or sepsis).
2.
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, indicating a more serious case of that it's not the flu.
3.
Sudden dizziness - an indication of not getting enough oxygen.
4.
Confusion - also indicating may not get enough oxygen.
5.
Severe or persistent vomiting - which can lead to dehydration.
How to protect from flu - either H1N1 or the seasonal flu: 1.
Get a flu shot!! No get two flu shots.
One for the seasonal flu - and one for the H1N1 virus.
Protect you and those around you.
2.
Wash your hands!! With soap and warm water - for at least 20 seconds.
If soap and water are not available, the alcohol gels will help.
Wash often.
3.
Don't get over tired.
Try to get your normal amount of sleep.
And if you feel tired - take a rest.
Your body does it's repair work when you are sleeping.
4.
Stay away from those you know are ill.
If you're co-workers come in sick - find a way to force them to go home.
It's better for them - as well as for you.
Stay healthy - eat healthy foods - get plenty of sleep.
Hopefully you will not get the flu or a cold this season.
But if you do, PLEASE stay home.
The symptoms for the common cold and the flu are definitely different.
Flu Sign: 1.
The flu comes on suddenly.
You get up feeling fine but sometime during the day you start to get aching and shivering.
2.
A fever usually accompanies the aches when you have the flu.
3.
You might also have a headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat and/or nasal congestion.
4.
Sometimes vomiting or diarrhea accompany the flu, but usually in children.
Cold Symptoms: 1.
Usually develops over a few days.
2.
May or may not have a sore throat and cough.
3.
Nasal congestion that may be accompanied by a headache if the sinus are inflamed.
4.
Usually there is no fever or aches with a cold.
How do you know if you have H1N1 Flu Strain? You won't.
Unless your doctor tests you with a swab of nasal secretions.
But remember, far more people die from the usual flu strain than are reported dying from the H1N1 strain.
And the treatment is the same for H1Ni as for the seasonal flu.
Nevertheless, it does seem to be quite contagious.
So protect yourself and those around you.
New research suggests the H1N1 virus can spread many days after the fever ends.
Swine flu appears to be contagious longer than the seasonal flu.
You're probably contagious for about a week.
So if you care about your family, friends, and co-workers - take the week off.
Get your laptop and work from home.
And, as mentioned above, take particular care as long as you are coughing.
When the coughing stops, that is probably a better sign of when a H1N1 patient is no longer contagious.
What Are Treatments for the Flu? 1.
Stay HOME and rest.
Bed rest is the best.
You don't want to weaken your body by expending energy needed just to get dressed for work.
This is a time when your body needs its strength to fight the virus.
2.
Drink plenty of fluids to keep from getting dehydrated.
3.
Don't drink alcohol because this can increase dehydration and weaken your immune system's response.
4.
Don't smoke - it is not good for your respiratory system.
5.
Do take over the counter pain relievers (but don't give to children or teens) for your head ache or muscle aches.
6.
Avoid infecting others.
Stay in a separate room and try to use a separate bathroom.
Your wearing a mask may help not spread the illness to those around you.
But from what I've read, a mask for the healthy people does not protect them and may actually give a false sense of security.
7.
Some doctors are prescribing an antiviral such as Tamiflu or Relenza, which may shorten the course of the illness by a day or two if the medication is given within the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
8.
Without the antiviral medication, expect to recover in about five days.
Yes, this means you should be in bed for five days.
Always stay home if you have a fever or think you may be coming down with the flu.
Adults can spread the flu to others up to five days after getting sick.
A general rule of thumb is to stay home for 24 hours after the fever is gone (without taking fever-lowering medications).
That gives your body one more day to recover.
However, if your cough or congestion hasn't diminished much from its peak, you could still be infectious.
9.
Be sure to talk with your doctor if you are a high risk patient with a history of pneumonia, sepsis or severe asthma attacks.
And of course, people ages 65 and older, those with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women and young children.
Normally you should not need to go to the hospital with H1N1.
But the virus can lead to other illnesses - bronchitis, pneumonia, sepsis and asthma flare-ups.
Emergency signs for children with flu - whether it be H1N1 or seasonal flu: 1.
Fast or labored breathing.
2.
Bluish skin color - indicates not getting enough oxygen.
3.
Not drinking enough fluids - at risk for dehydration 4.
Not waking up or interacting - very severe case.
5.
Being so irritable that the child doesn't want to be held - also indication of more severe illness.
6.
The return of flu symptoms after appearing to recover.
This may indicate a secondary illness or that it wasn't the flu.
7.
Fever with a rash - which may indicate an illness other than the flu.
Danger signs for adults with flu: 1.
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath (an indication of pneumonia or sepsis).
2.
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, indicating a more serious case of that it's not the flu.
3.
Sudden dizziness - an indication of not getting enough oxygen.
4.
Confusion - also indicating may not get enough oxygen.
5.
Severe or persistent vomiting - which can lead to dehydration.
How to protect from flu - either H1N1 or the seasonal flu: 1.
Get a flu shot!! No get two flu shots.
One for the seasonal flu - and one for the H1N1 virus.
Protect you and those around you.
2.
Wash your hands!! With soap and warm water - for at least 20 seconds.
If soap and water are not available, the alcohol gels will help.
Wash often.
3.
Don't get over tired.
Try to get your normal amount of sleep.
And if you feel tired - take a rest.
Your body does it's repair work when you are sleeping.
4.
Stay away from those you know are ill.
If you're co-workers come in sick - find a way to force them to go home.
It's better for them - as well as for you.
Stay healthy - eat healthy foods - get plenty of sleep.
Hopefully you will not get the flu or a cold this season.
But if you do, PLEASE stay home.
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