Infectious Disease Control and Prevention

Salt Lake Valley Health Department

Remember:

Wash hands frequently
Always cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
stay home if you're sick and if any warning signs come up
- difficulty breathing
- not responsive as usual
- unable to take fluids
- after a day or two of the fever coming down and having more fever and cough again -- see the doctor

Most H1N1 symptoms are the same as seasonal flu:

fever
coughing or sore throat
runny or stuffy nose
headaches
body aches
chills and fatigue
H1N1 (swine flu) also can cause vomiting and diarrhea
Dozens of other viruses cause similar symptoms but one hallmark of influenza is a sudden onset of symptoms. An illness that develops gradually is likely to be from another virus. People who get infected by the H1N1 virus may be contagious as early as one day before they show symptoms.
Parents should especially seek treatment for children with flu-like symptoms who cannot be awakened easily, who appear blue or gray, or who become ill again after getting better.

What to do if I have the flu?

Stay home from work, school, travel, shopping, social events and public gatherings until at least 24 hours after the fever has disappeared.
Avoid contact with pregnant women, children and infants, and people with chronic medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.
Use face masks to avoid spreading infection
Water, broth, sports drinks can be used to prevent dehydration, especially in children
Medical attention is recommended if the sick person has difficulty breathing or chest pain, appears blue or purple around the lips, vomits and cannot keep liquids down or shows signs of dehydration including dizziness.

SYMPTOM	COLD	H1N1 FLU
Fever	Fever is rare with a cold.	Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
Coughing	A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.	A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches	Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold	Severe aches and pains are common with the flu
Stuffy Nose	Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week	Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu
Chills	Chills are uncommon with a cold	60% of people who have the flu experience chills
Tiredness	Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold	Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu
Sneezing	Sneezing is commonly present with a cold	Sneezing is not common with the flu
Sudden Symptoms	Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days	The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache	A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold	A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases
Sore Throat	Sore throat is commonly present with a cold	Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu
Chest Discomfort	Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold	Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu

The only way to stop the spread of the epidemic is to spread the awareness.

More than 100 pregnant women have been admitted to intensive care with H1N1 in the United States this year and 28 have died.

2001 South State Street S2500
Salt Lake City,Utah 84190-2150