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| Current H1N1 (Swine Flu) Information and Recommendations | |
| The common questions below are answered following the current guidelines from the CDC as of October 26, 2009. Question: How do I know if I have the flu? Answer: You may have the flu if you have a fever and some or all of these symptoms: cough; sore throat; runny or stuffy nose; body aches; headache; chills; fatigue; sometimes diarrhea and vomiting. Question: What should I do if I get sick? Answer: If you get sick with flu-like symptoms you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except if you need medical care. Most people with H1N1 have had mild illness and have not needed medical care or antiviral drugs. The same is true of seasonal flu. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen are recommended for fever and pain relief. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids and get more rest. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. (Your fever should be gone without the use of ibuprofen or acetaminophen) Question: Do I need to go to the emergency room if I am only a little sick? Answer: No the emergency room should only 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. Question: What are “emergency warning signs” that should signal anyone to call their doctor and/or to seek medical care urgently? Answer: In children, among other severe symptoms: fast breathing or trouble breathing; bluish skin color; not drinking enough fluids; 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; fever with a rash. In adults, among other severe symptoms; difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen; confusion; severe or persistent vomiting. Question: Is there a rapid test for the swine flu? Answer: Yes, but most people with flu symptoms do not need a test for 2009 H1N1 flu because the test results usually do not change how you are treated. The rapid tests for the swine flu are not always correct; so they are usually only performed on patients sick enough to be admitted to the hospital. Question: Are there medicines to treat H1N1 flu? Answer: Yes. There are drugs your doctor may prescribe for treating both seasonal and H1N1 called “antiviral drugs”. But most people with H1N1 have mild illness and have not needed medical care or antiviral drugs. The same is true of seasonal flu. Antiviral drugs are being used mainly to treat people who are very sick such as people who need to be hospitalized, and to treat some people with chronic illnesses who are more likely to get serious flu complications. Your health care provider will decide whether antiviral drugs are needed to treat you. Question: What can I do to protect myself from getting sick? Answer: This season, there is a seasonal flu vaccine to protect against seasonal flu viruses and a H1N1 vaccine to protect against the H1N1 influenza virus. A flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against flu infection. The swine flu shot may not be available yet for everyone who wants it; flu vaccines are not given in the Emergency Department. Take these steps everyday to protect your health: Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Try to avoid close contact with sick people. For example going to the Emergency Department puts you in close contact with sick people. Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures. For further information, please visit: Oregon Flu Information |
