What makes the swine flu different than the seasonal flu? Knowing the signs and symptoms of swine flu make it easier to determine whether or not influenza symptoms are cause for alarm.
Early Symptoms of Swine Flu in Adults
Like the seasonal flu, H1N1 symptoms are fever, sore throat, cough, body aches, runny nose, stuffy nose, chills, headaches and fatigue. Not all adults with swine flu will develop a fever, the CDC notes in a September 9, 2009 CDC Report called "Flu Symptoms & Severity." Influenza in healthy adults is generally not a cause for alarm, although it's definitely not much fun.
When is the Flu an Emergency for Adults?
Adults are advised to seek urgent medical attention if they experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sudden dizziness, severe or persistent vomiting, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, confusion, or flu-like symptoms that improve and then return with a fever or worse cough, indicating pneumonia.
Early Symptoms of Swine Flu in Children
Like adults, children with swine flu are likely to experience a fever, sore throat, cough, body aches, runny nose, stuffy nose, chills, headaches and fatigue. In children, more often than with adults, expect symptoms of upset stomach with the flu. The CDC names nausea, vomiting and diarrhea as symptoms of swine flu, but notes that these symptoms aren't common for adults.
Symptoms of a Swine Flu Emergency in Children
Children who are having trouble breathing or experiencing rapid or labored breathing should seek medical attention, especially if their skin tone turns bluish or gray, indicating an extreme lack of oxygen. Deaths from swine flu are more often caused by pneumonia that develops afterward as a complication, according to the CDC.
Severe or persistent vomiting, not drinking enough fluids or loss of appetite, lethargy or failure to wake up or interact with others and flu-like symptoms that go away and then come back with a fever and worse cough are also symptoms.
Breastfeeding with the Swine Flu
According to the CDC's July 2009 Report entitled "Novel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and Feeding your Baby: What Parents Should Know," babies who are taking artificial human milk (formula) are more likely to contract the flu than babies who are breastfed. Women who are suffering from swine flu are advised not to handle their babies or care for them, but to continue feeding baby their mother's milk, which contains antibodies to fight swine flu, increasing their immunity.
Without outside help, mothers are advised to maintain hand washing, use disposable tissues and avoid sneezing or coughing near the baby, to change linens frequently and make sure play things are kept clean and germ free. A swine flu protection kit may help.
Symptoms of Swine Flu in Babies
Babies and toddlers with swine flu can be cranky, cough and sneeze more often, have a fever, vomit or diarrhea, sleep more than usual or become lethargic, and fail to respond to outside stimuli. A toddler with a sore throat may grab at their neck or say that it hurts, and their voice may sound different. Children under age two are at an increased risk of death from swine flu and should seek immediate medical attention. Avoid suppressing a cough, since coughing removes an unhealthy mucous buildup.
Risk of Catching H1N1 from the Swine Flu Immunization
Immunization efforts can prevent epidemics, but objections to the H1N1 vaccination are common. For example, the mercury free nasal spray vaccine may make patients contagious, spreading H1N1 to those around them. According to the package insert from MedImmune's Flumist, section 17.2; "Vaccination with a Live Virus Vaccine: Vaccine recipients or their parents/guardians should be informed by the health care provider that FluMist is an attenuated live virus vaccine and has the potential for transmission to immunocompromised household contacts."
Preventing complications from the flu, like pneumonia, is the best way to survive a swine flu epidemic. It's wise to be aware of the symptoms of swine flu and signs of influenza to prevent spread of the virus.
Lisa Russell - Lisa Russell is a freelance writer and mom of six daughters. She blogs about their life at lisarussell.org
