Swine flu (H1N1) Symptoms and Self Care

The following information is from the Mayo Clinic.

Swine flu (H1N1) symptoms: Self-care for the flu

Question: What are the usual swine flu symptoms? What should I do if I start to have them?

Answer: from James M. Steckelberg, M.D. at the Mayo Clinic

Swine flu symptoms are pretty much the same as seasonal flu symptoms, experience so far has shown. The illness starts one or two days after your exposure to the virus, and symptoms may seem to hit you suddenly. Among healthy people, seasonal flu and swine flu symptoms vary in severity.

Swine flu (H1N1) symptoms include:
- Fever, which is almost always present and which may rise above 103 F (39.4 C) in the first 12 hours of illness
- Chills
- Muscle aches
- Loss of appetite
- Extreme fatigue
- Eye redness and burning
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- With swine flu, some people also report nausea and vomiting.

Swine flu symptoms can make you feel awful, but if you’re basically healthy and you’re not pregnant, take care of yourself at home rather than going to your doctor.

Try these remedies:

- Take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) to reduce fever and muscle aches. Don’t give products containing aspirin to children or young adults, as these drugs may cause Reye’s syndrome.

- Drink clear fluids, such as water, broth or sports drinks.

- Rest as long as you continue to feel tired, and sleep as much as you can.

Question: I’m pregnant and am concerned about swine flu. What should I do if I think I may have swine flu?

Answer: from Roger W. Harms, M.D. at the Mayo Clinic

The combination of H1N1 influenza (swine flu) and pregnancy is potentially risky. If you’re pregnant and think you may have H1N1 flu or you’ve had close contact with someone who has known or suspected H1N1 flu, contact your doctor immediately. He or she may recommend treatment with an antiviral medication known to be effective against the virus — oseltamivir (Tamiflu), which can be taken in pill or liquid form, or, less often, zanamivir (Relenza), which must be inhaled. Ideally, the medication should be started within 48 hours of developing symptoms.

Although the specific effects of H1N1 flu and pregnancy are unknown, anyone at high risk of complications from seasonal flu is thought to be at high risk of complications from H1N1 flu — including pregnant women.

Pregnancy puts extra stress on your heart and lungs. Pregnancy can also affect your immune system. These factors increase the risk not only of getting the flu but of developing serious complications of the flu, such as pneumonia and respiratory distress. In turn, flu complications may lead to miscarriage, premature labor or other pregnancy problems.

The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to those of seasonal flu, including fever, cough, sore throat and body aches. Although researchers haven’t studied the safety of oseltamivir and zanamivir during pregnancy, for most women the benefits of preventing serious illness or complications from H1N1 flu outweigh any potential risks of the medication. It’s also important to rest as much as you can and drink plenty of fluids.

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