RSS
Home
Swine flu symptoms; How serious is it?
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Though it seems nearly impossible to escape information on Swine flu, if you develop a sudden onset of potential flu symptoms (e.g. fever, sore throat, chills, headache, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, body aches and/or dizziness), you will want to have Swine flu symptoms and treatment information readily available. (See the following Swine flu symptom checklist and video by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Prompt diagnosis and medical intervention may minimize the duration and severity of Swine flu and in some instances save lives. Since there are unknowns about the Swine flu H1N1 human influenza virus, the best treatment course is proactive but not panicked. Should you develop suspect Swine flu symptoms, you may wish to respond more aggressively than with a “typical” flu. Currently, interim Swine flu treatment guidelines are available.
Treating Swine flu symptoms with mediations and home remedies
It is expected that many Swine flu patients will seek and benefit from antiviral influenza treatments such as Tamiflu or Relenza. For these medications to minimize the duration and intensity of Swine flu, they must be administered promptly after symptom onset – within 48 hours typically. A call to one’s healthcare professional for early, suspect signs of Swine flu is therefore prudent.
As far as homeopathic and home remedies for treating Swine flu symptoms, both useless and dangerous as well as common sense information is propagating on the Internet. While bed rest, hydration with clear fluids and fever control are prudent influenza treatments, consult a doctor prior to attempting a course of self-care. Currently, the CDC provides interim guidance on homecare of Swine flu.
Sudden onset Swine flu symptoms; How serious?
Following are some common and less common Swine flu symptoms as well as signs of serious Swine flu complications that require immediate medical attention.
More common Swine flu symptoms
General influenza symptoms including:
Fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue,
Diarrhea and vomiting has been associated with Swine flu
Serious Swine flu symptoms
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
* 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, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
* Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* Sudden dizziness
* Confusion
* Severe or persistent vomiting
Pneumonia and respiratory failure have been associated with Swine flu as have other complications.
(Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
More information on Swine flu symptoms...
In this video, Dr. Joe Bresee with the CDC Influenza Division describes Swine flu signs and symptoms, how the virus is transmitted as well as Swine flu treatment and prevention suggestions.
Serious and fatal Swine flu symptoms put into perspective
Swine flu H1N1 virus is part of the influenza family. As such, Swine flu symptoms may run their unpleasant but relatively mild course with little to no medical intervention such as medications or hospitalizations.
Unfortunately, however, even “run-of-the-mill” flu can kill, claiming over 30,000 lives annually. An additional challange is that health officials do not yet know just how serious the projected Swine flu pandemic will be --to include the possibility of future outbreaks which may pose a greater threat. Swine flu vaccine development is therefore a top priority.
Additionally, the killer flu of 1918-19 is both a reference point for today’s Swine flu projections and public panic, but the reality is that, even without a doomsday scenario, influenza viruses can mutate and alter course.
For now, at least, many cases of Swine flu appear to be mild and respond to typical influenza treatments.
Conversely, some individuals consider the overhyped Swine flu 1976 outbreak as a reference point for today and ignore current Swine flu warnings at their own risk.
The bottom line is that we don't know enough about today's Swine flu outbreaks or the future course of the infectious disease, and the CDC expects U.S. fatalities from the Swine flu virus. In Mexico, Swine flu has claimed over 150 lives thus far. Patients with better access to health care information, treatment and improved environmental conditions are likely to fare better than victims who live in poor and developing countries.
For more information see: Local swine flu updates and outbreaks
Related website: Swine flu school closings; what parents can do (AC)
Related Articles:
Comments
It’s time to start viewing Black Friday 2009 ads for many a serious holiday shopper and Little Rock Black Friday sales hunters are no exception. …
As the Arkansas Lottery is now a reality with scratch cards available and the Powerball to begin Oct. 31, Little Rock residents can turn to the …
