What Are the Signs and Symptoms of N1H1 in People?

 

I didn't know if she had the flu or not, the regular flu or the H191 flu, but one of the gals in our bridge class had watery eyes, raspy throat and a cough. I believe she should have considered staying home that afternoon rather than share whatever she had with the other 15 people.

 

It use to be a badge of honor to come to work, to do whatever you had to do even though you may have been sick as a dog they say. Today that is no longer acceptable let alone fashionable. Your mild cold virus may turn into a severe flu symptom for someone else. Or you may have the flu and not suspect it because you are so accustomed to not stopping your life with what you call a bad call.

 

Time to think again.

 

The symptoms of the 2009 H191 flue virus include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. Others are infected without a fever.

 

The following are emergency warning signs that indicate medical care is needed quickly:

 

For children:

Fast breathing or trouble breathing

Bluish skin color

Dehydration

Sleepy and not interacting

Irritable

Flu symptoms improve but then return more severely

Fever with a rash

 

In adults:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

Sudden dizziness

Confusion

Vomiting

 

 

There are drugs your doctor may prescribe for treating both seasonal and 2009  H1N1 called antiviral drugs. They can make you better faster and may also prevent serious complications. They are primarily used to treat people who are very sick such as people who need to be hospitalized or likely to get serious complications.

 

By the way, one of the people who joined our table for the bridge class was 92 year old Chuck. I kid you not. He hadn't played bridge since he was in college. Received his MBA from the University of Michigan in 1940. He remembered how to play bridge but he didn't know the new conventions.  He drove to the class and attended a previous class in the morning.  I want to be like Chuck and do what he is doing when I am 92!

 

So what are you doing for prevention against the flu this year?

 

To your healthy aging.

 

Ruthan Brodsky

Comments

[abolderwoman]

I'm taking more vitamin D because there's some evidence that it strengthens the immune system against both seasonal and swine flu. There's more information at the Vitamin D Council website: http://tinyurl.com/ydf5alv. (I have no connection to the council, but as a health journalist, I'm a big fan of vitamin D).