Swine Flu Cases

It is important that as swine flu spreads, you know the symptoms so that you can recognize it at an early stage. The symptoms of swine flu or H1N1 flu is quite similar to common flu and other influenza-like illness.

The typical symptoms of swine flu are:

• a sudden fever (a high body temperature of 38°C/100.4°F or above), and
• a sudden cough.

Other symptoms of swine flu include:

• headache,
• tiredness,
• chills,
• aching muscles,
• limb or joint pain,
• pain around the eyes,
• diarrhoea or stomach upset,
• vomiting,
• sore throat,
• runny nose,
• sneezing, or
• loss of appetite.

Most swine flu patients have at least two of these symptoms. However, these symptoms do not guarantee the occurrence of swine flu. As mentioned earlier, these symptoms are similar with common flu. So, you or your doctor cannot predict or deny the occurrence of swine flu just based on these symptoms. Only lab tests can confirm whether you have got swine flu or not. These tests are performed by state health departments and authorized hospitals in most countries.

In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

The groups that are at high risk of catching swine flu are:

• chronic (long-term) lung disease,
• chronic heart disease,
• chronic kidney disease,
• chronic liver disease,
• chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease),
• immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment) or
• diabetes mellitus.
• patients who have had drug treatment for asthma within the past three years,
• pregnant women,
• people aged 65 and older, and
• young children under five.

It has been also noticed that in a large number of swine flu deaths occur after the patients suffer from pneumonia.

Here is a short video by Dr. Joe Bresee, with CDC’s Influenza Division, where he describes the symptoms of swine flu and warning signs to look for that indicate the need for urgent medical attention.