Influenza

Respiratory illnesses: The flu, swine flu, & you

View the new WSMA co-sponsored PSA on the swine flu, available in both English and Spanish. [You must have Windows Media Player to view]

What is the flu?

The flu is a very contagious disease of the respiratory (breathing) system. The flu is easily passed from one person to another by coughing and sneezing. It is usually very unpleasant, but for most people symptoms generally get better after 7-10 days.

What to do if you have the flu:

Rest in bed
Drink lots of fluids
Take non-aspirin pain relievers such as acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol® or ibuprofen (e.g. Advil®, Motrin®, etc.). Children and teens with the flu should never take aspirin as they may develop a rare, but serious disease called Reye syndrome
Stay home and avoid public activities until your symptoms are resolved (usually 5-7 days)
Talk with your health care provider if you are considering prescription drugs as they can have serious side effects in some people

What is Swine Flu?

Swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is normally found in pigs. There are many such viruses and they rarely infect humans. The virus currently causing human illness is a new type of swine flu that has developed the ability to infect people and be transmitted from person to person.

Although this new virus is called "swine flu" it is not transmitted from eating pork products. Like other respiratory diseases, it is spread from person to person through coughs and sneezes.

Treatment for Swine Flu

Human symptoms for the Swine influenza A (H1N1) virus are similar to the symptoms of the regular "seasonal" influenza that happens each year. Symptoms include fever, cough and sore throat. In addition, fatigue, lack of appetite, runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea have been reported.

The WSMA encourages everyone to get vaccinated for H1N1. Vaccine is widely available to anyone who wants it, and many pharmacies have both H1N1 vaccine as well as seasonal vaccine. You can find the pharmacies in your area that carry vaccine by visiting the Flu.gov vaccine finder webpage.

When should you see a physician?

You should see a physician or go to an emergency room if you have any of the symptoms below:

Severe or prolonged flu symptoms
Rapid or labored breathing, or bluish skin
Pain or difficulty breathing
Cough with yellow sputum or phlegm
Becoming sick again with fever and/or a worse cough after flu symptoms have improved
Not drinking enough fluids

Parents should seek medical attention for infants and children that are:

Not waking up; not interacting with others
So irritable they do not want to be held

Simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones from these respiratory illnesses:

Wash your hands with soap and warm water or use an alcohol based hand rub or gel frequently, especially after visiting public places or being in contact with anyone with a cold or the flu. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Turn your head (never cough in the direction of someone else) and cough or sneeze into a tissue. If tissues are not available, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow.
Do not take young children, those with immune system problems or the chronically ill into large crowds unnecessarily when the flu is in your community.
Avoid close contact (holding, hugging and kissing) with anyone who has a cold or the flu. Be very careful with children, as they are most likely to become sick with the flu.
Stay home from work or school and avoid public activities for at least 5 (7 for children) days if you have symptoms of the flu.
Do not share items that can spread germs and viruses, like drinking cups, straws, or other items that you put in your mouth.
Clean things that are touched often in household, classroom and child care settings: door or refrigerator handles, phones, water faucets etc.

For more information:

The Washington State Department of Health's H1N1 webpages

The Washington State Department of Health's Seasonal Flu webpage

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's H1N1 webpages

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Seasonal Flu website