Symptoms
Symptoms of influenza include:- fever greater than 100 degrees
- body aches
- coughing
- sore throat
- respiratory congestion
- in some cases diarrhea and vomiting
If you develop these symptoms, please contact your health care provider by telephone for information on treatment. Local hospitals are requesting that people with only mild flu-like symptoms avoid visiting an emergency room without first contacting their primary care physician.
Care
People with H1N1 flu who are cared for at home should:
- check with their health care provider about any special care they might need if they are pregnant or have a health condition such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, or emphysema
- check with their health care provider about whether they should take antiviral medications
- stay home for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer
- This summer the symptoms have been very mild. Therefore, the Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department is advising individuals that they may return to normal activity if they have been symptom free for 24 hours (no fever, cough, sore throat, achiness, or fatigue). This advice pertains only to this summer and may change if the illness becomes more severe.
- Individuals with underlying medical conditions are more likely to develop complications
- get plenty of rest
- drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants) to keep from being dehydrated
- cover coughs and sneezes. Clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often and especially after using tissues and after coughing or sneezing into hands.
- avoid close contact with others – do not go to work or school while ill
- be watchful for emergency warning signs (see below) that might indicate you need to seek medical attention
Get medical care right away if the sick person at home:
- has difficulty breathing or chest pain
- has purple or blue discoloration of the lips
- is vomiting and unable to keep liquids down
- has signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, absence of urination, or in infants, a lack of tears when they cry
- has seizures (for example, uncontrolled convulsions)
- is less responsive than normal or becomes confused
