H1n1 symptoms

By Val Willingham CNN Medical Producer This cold and flu season could star a cornucopia of viruses. Doctors say they worry the two flu strains (H1N1 and seasonal) could combine, further complicating the situation. Mix in colds, which are prevalent this time of year, and the immune system of Americans could be dealt a one-two punch. So, how can someone tell if those sniffles they're having is something to be concerned about? Infectious disease experts say people need to be aware of the symptoms. Dr. Shmuel Shoham, an infectious-disease specialist at Washington Hospital Center, says the common cold, seasonal flu and H1N1 are all respiratory illnesses, but they're caused by different viruses. Symptoms of the cold are more common, and can make the patient miserable for three to five days. A patient usually has a stuffy nose, congestion, some body aches and a growing cough. According to the CDC seasonal flu and H1N1 symptoms consist of fever, more painful body aches, dry cough, diarrhea and severe fatigue. It's hard, without testing, to tell apart the seasonal strain of flu from the H1N1 variety. Watch more on cold, flu and H1N1 symptoms » "People need to take notice when they begin to feel bad. If they start to have respiratory problems, or are dehydrated because of a bug, they should go to the doctor. It could be H1N1 or seasonal influenza," says Shoham. "Some people with influenza can get very sick and could end up in the hospital if it's not taken care of." People at greate...

H1N1 Influenza in Children • Care notes • • • • • • • • • What is H1N1 influenza? H1N1 influenza (swine flu) is caused by a virus. H1N1 influenza is easily spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or has close contact with others. Your child may be able to spread H1N1 influenza to others for 1 week or longer after signs or symptoms appear. What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 influenza? Your child's risk for severe symptoms is higher if he or she is younger than 5 years. A heart or lung disease or weak immune system also increases his or her risk. Your child may have any of the following: • Fever and chills • Headaches, body aches, earaches, and muscle or joint pain • Dry cough, runny or stuffy nose, and sore throat • Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea • Tiredness • Fast breathing, trouble breathing, or chest pain How is H1N1 influenza diagnosed? Your child's healthcare provider will examine your child. Tell him or her if your child has health problems such as epilepsy or asthma. Tell him or her if your child has been around sick people or traveled recently. A sample of fluid may be collected from your child's nose or throat and tested for the H1N1 influenza virus. How is H1N1 influenza treated? Most healthy children get better within a week. Your child may need any of the following: • Acetaminophen decreases pain and fever. It is available without a doctor's order. Ask how much to give your child and how often to give it. Follow directions. Read the...

influenza pandemic (H1N1) of 2009, also called H1N1 flu, byname swine flu, the first major The Symptoms and transmission Persons infected with H1N1 experienced fever and mild respiratory The virus was passed from human to human primarily through inhalation of secondary attack rate, was higher for H1N1 flu than for seasonal influenza. (The typical secondary Early stages of the outbreak Evidence of an influenza-like illness first appeared in February 2009 in a small town called La Gloria in Veracruz, Mex. The following month the illness emerged in By the end of April more than 2,000 cases of the influenza-like illness had been reported in Mexico City and elsewhere in Mexico. Laboratory testing of a small subset of patients confirmed that a swine influenza virus was the cause of their illness. The virus that was detected was a subtype known as Although it was not clear whether all the cases in these other countries were caused by the H1N1 virus, several of the already confirmed cases in multiple countries demonstrated evidence of human-to-human transmission. This evidence prompted Chan and WHO on April 29 to declare a level 5 pandemic alert for the H1N1 outbreak. A level 5 pandemic alert indicated that WHO believed a swine flu pandemic was