How Serious Is The Swine Flu?Who Is Most At Risk?
Because swine flu symptoms vary from mild to severe. Many people who have contracted the virus have had symptoms ranging from mild to severe. You will still feel terrible, however you can recover in five-seven days just like the seasonal flu virus. As with the seasonal flu, you experience a variety of symptoms. There is sore throat, fever, headache, chills, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, cough and cold symptoms like a runny nose. Taking over-the-counter drugs can reduce the symptoms. If your doctor does a rapid test and discovers that you have the swine flu, they may also issue a prescription of Tamiflu or Relenza, two antivirals that can help if your flu symptoms are still in the early stages (less than 48 hours). High risk groups for this flu include children, people ages 24 to 54, infants, pregnant women, and those who are immuno-compromised of any age. Contracting this flu in one of these groups can lead to a more severe form of the virus. More cells are infected by the virus which can lead to respiratory distress. Many cases of H1N1 have led to hospitalization and some fatalities but the majority of cases have not needed such care or ended so tragically. Because the virus is new to humans, there is an advantage here. It affects the respiratory system. The virus doesn’t usually penetrate deep enough within the lungs to do more widespread damage. If You Suspect The Flu In Children, Do Not Give Aspirin
There are ways that you can tell if someone is having a more severe response to the H1N1 virus. Once the fever breaks and you get better, symptoms can return in more severe cases.
If this happens see a doctor right away. If you suspect the flu in children, do not give aspirin for their fever. Treating any viral infection (such as a cold, chicken pox, or flu) with aspirin can be dangerous and might lead to a life-threatening disease called Reyes syndrome. For more information about Reyes Syndrome, please visit this link: http://www.reyessyndrome.org. Even though the H1N1 virus (its official title) has caused many to become sick, it still has not reached the numbers that the seasonal flu has. You are possibly more likely to catch the seasonal flu than the swine flu. The only way to diagnose if you are suffering from influenza A is to have a swab taken. The samples can be sent off to an outside lab for testing. Many doctors are familiar enough with the H1N1 virus now to know which one you may have. They can treat you accordingly to prevent any severe outcomes. The swine flu has the potential to become severe just like the seasonal flu. Taking precautions such as vaccination and avoiding sick people can help. Follow all doctors’ orders to get better as quickly as you can after diagnosis.
Home
|
