INFLUENZA also known as: FLU

Seasonal Flu vs. H1N1 Flu
Symptoms and treatment are the same for both types of flu infection. The main difference between the two is in who is most affected by the infections. They are 2 distinctly different viruses and each has its own immunization.
 

What is it?
A viral illness that has a sudden onset of the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Sore muscles
• Headache
• Extreme fatigue/feeling very tired and weak
• Chills
• Cough
• Sometimes nausea/vomiting

 
Treatment

• Stay home!
• Rest
• Drink lots of fluids
• Treat the symptoms: Tylenol (acetaminophen), Motrin/Advil (ibuprofen) or over-the-counter cough, cold or flu remedies.
• DO NOT USE ASPIRIN in children or teens due to risk of Reye’s Syndrome.

 
When to seek emergency medical care
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should seek emergency medical care:

• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pains
• Purple or blue-ish color of the lips
• Vomiting and inability to keep down fluids or food
• Signs of dehydration: dizziness when standing, absence of urination, lack of tears when crying.
• Seizures
• Confusion or a slower response than normal

 
How long are people contagious?
People are infectious for 1 day before they have symptoms of illness and for 7 days after they begin feeling ill.

 
How to prevent spreading the virus
The germs can stay on objects such as phones, keyboards, tables or doorknobs. When touching an object that an ill person touched, you can pick up the germs that have been left. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth, you may become infected. Close proximity or physical contact when an infected person is coughing or sneezing.

• Good hand washing at all times!
• Practice respiratory etiquette:
  • Cover your cough/sneeze
  • Use a tissue or cough into your arm
  • Use a mask if needed
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread that way.
• If sick with influenza-stay away from others. The CDC says to stay home from work and school while contagious.

 
For additional information, please visit the following websites:

Indiana State Department of Health

Centers for Disease Control