(Editor's note: The Williams Health Care Center is receiving countless calls from concerned residents in reference to H1N1. WHCC staff has provided the following information.
Now that H1N1 flu seems to be affecting more Arizona residents, we want to help you decide when the time is right to seek help, whether it's a call to the doctor, a visit to urgent care or truly an emergency that should be cared for at the hospital.
The symptoms of H1N1 flu mirror those of seasonal flu. You may have some or all of these symptoms: fever, cough, fatigue, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, runny nose, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and lack of appetite. Not everyone with the flu will have a fever. If you've ever had the flu, you know how different it is from the typical cold. The response to H1N1 flu also is similar to the steps you would take to treat seasonal flu.
For the average person who is relatively healthy, H1N1 flu will run its course. Stay home, rest, hydrate and be vigilant about hygiene so that you don't spread the virus to others.
People with existing health problems or chronic conditions such as heart and lung disease or a compromised immune system and women who are pregnant should pay particular attention to their symptoms. Also, call your primary care physician to discuss your symptoms. The following symptoms require an immediate visit to the emergency department:
• Difficulty breathing
• Pain or pressure in chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
In young children, watch for:
• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms that improve, but return with fever and worse cough
H1N1 flu is treated in a similar manner to seasonal flu. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (motrin) can be used to lower fever and relieve some of the symptoms of flu. Specific influenza medications are typically used only in patients with, or at risk of developing, severe illness and are prescribed by a physician.
We do have a limited amount of the vaccine that we are administering to our high-risk patients. Like all other health facilities, we do not have a definite date of arrival for additional supply. At this time, we are not administering the vaccine to patients by their request. As the supply of the vaccine becomes more readily available, we will follow CDC guidelines to administer the vaccine first to the targeted populations of:
• Pregnant Women
• Children aged 6 months to age 4
• Children aged 5-18 years with a chronic medical condition
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months
• Health care and emergency services medical workers with direct patient care
For more information for prevention of influenza as well as updates on our H1N1 vaccine supply visit our website www.bannerhealth.com/Williams, keyword: flu.
Posted: Thursday, November 05, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
My daughter has the flu..H1N1 or not it is still a flu. Thank you for the article it reassures me that I don't have to run out and prepare for her funeral.
Posted: Thursday, November 05, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Wow, the first poster just described a very nasty series of flu symptoms none of which are on the h1n1 symptoms list for adults. I love paranoia. Or someones looking for an extra long weekend!
Posted: Thursday, November 05, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
The article has helped because I feel that I may have H1N1 because I have a cough, sore throat,fatigue,
lack of appetite, and runny nose.
Posted: Thursday, November 05, 2009
Article comment by:
blair
Hello,
Ive had a bad cough for a day and a half. fever, and dizziness. But,i think it could be from a codeine product!..Very dizzy.
Im 45 in good shape
