Everything you should know about swine flu
H1N1 (swine flu) is a new influenza virus which was first detected in people in USA, April 2009.
It's more serious in people, over 65 years old, children below 5 years, pregnants and patients with chronic illness.
Modes of infection
Airborne infection i.e. coughing, sneezing or through touching infected objects.
Symptoms
Similar to common seasonal flu: fever, runny nose, sore throat, coughing, lethargy, loss of appetite. In addition: nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
| H1N1 Flu (Swine flu) | Seasonal flu (common cold) | Symptom | No |
| Very important in 80% of all flu cases, 38 °C | Rare | Fever | 1 |
| Dry cough is usually present | A hacking, productive (mucus-producing) cough is often present with a cold | Coughing | 2 |
| Severe aches and pains are common with the flu | Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold | Aches | 3 |
| Uncommon | Very common and typically resolve spontaneously | Stuffy nose | 4 |
| 60% of people who have the flu experience chills | Uncommon | Chills | 5 |
| Moderate to severe | Fairly mild | Tiredness | 6 |
| Uncommon | Common | Sneezing | 7 |
| The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains. | Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days | Sudden symptoms | 8 |
| Headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of the flu cases. | Fairly uncommon | Headache | 9 |
| Uncommon | Common | Sore throat | 10 |
| Often severe | Mild to moderate | Chest discomfort | 11 |
| Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting are very common to confirm the diagnosis. | Rare | GIT symptoms | 12 |
Prevention
- Cover your nose and mouth with tissues when cough or sneeze.
- Washing hands with water and soap.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.-
No close contact with infected people.-
- Avoid crowded areas.
Improve air flow in living spaces.-
Good health habits, eg adequate sleep, eating nitrated food, … .-
If you get sick, you have to
- Stay at home
- Avoid contact with other people
- Sick medical care or ask your physician
Tamiflu, as an antiviral therapy
Should be given only under strict medical supervision.
Suspected cases
Should be referred to special hospitals for taking a blood sample to confirm diagnosis trough certain government labs.
Very important notice:
If you are sick or suspecting flu problem please ask your physician in
1. El Gouna Hospital
2. Taba Height Medical Center o
3. Or contact Dr. Medhat Milad cell phone 0123120912)
Best Regards,
Dr. Medhat Milad
Managing director& CEO
of El gouna hospital Com.
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