Some people come to the hospital with flu-like symptoms when it isn’t necessary and they would be more safe and comfortable staying at home. Here is information to help you decide whether you need to be seen or not:
People who are experiencing typical, mild symptoms of influenza and are not at higher risk for flu complications should stay home and avoid public places, including busy emergency rooms and doctors’ offices, until they are well. Typical, mild symptoms include fever, sore throat, and cough.
People who are experiencing typical, mild symptoms of influenza and are at higher risk for complications should call their healthcare provider or the nurse advice line for consideration for treatment with antiviral medications.
People who are at higher risk for developing complications from H1N1 and seasonal flu are:
Children younger than 2 years of age
Adults 65 years of age and older, and
Persons with the following conditions:
Chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological (including sickle cell disease), neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus)
Immunosuppression, including that caused by medications or by HIV
Pregnant women
Persons younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities
3. People who develop severe symptoms of influenza should seek care immediately from their healthcare provider or the emergency room. Severe symptoms include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, dehydration, or decreased responsiveness.
To prevent the spread of the flu everyone should wash their hands frequently and cover their mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing. Stay home if you are ill and keep your kids home when they’re sick until 24 hours after the fever is gone.
Following are some websites /phone numbers that may be of help for more information:
Nurse Advice Hotline - 1(877) 725-2552
Here is a site for people who think they might have H1N1. It is licensed by Emory University. https://h1n1.cloudapp.net/default.aspx?cid=20
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