Know the
Difference between Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms
| Symptom |
Cold |
H1N1 Flu |
| Fever |
Fever is rare with
a cold. |
Fever is usually
present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of
100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu. |
| Coughing |
A hacking, productive
(mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold. |
A non-productive
(non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes
referred to as dry cough). |
| Aches |
Slight body aches
and pains can be part of a cold. |
Severe aches and
pains are common with the flu. |
| Stuffy
Nose |
Stuffy nose is
commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within
a week. |
Stuffy nose is
not commonly present with the flu. |
| Chills |
Chills are uncommon
with a cold. |
60% of people who
have the flu experience chills. |
| Tiredness |
Tiredness is fairly
mild with a cold. |
Tiredness is moderate
to severe with the flu. |
| Sneezing |
Sneezing is commonly
present with a cold. |
Sneezing is not
common with the flu. |
| Sudden
Symptoms |
Cold symptoms tend
to develop over a few days. |
The flu has a rapid
onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms
like high fever, aches and pains. |
| Headache |
A headache is fairly
uncommon with a cold. |
A headache is
very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases. |
| Sore
Throat |
Sore throat is
commonly present with a cold. |
Sore throat is
not commonly present with the flu. |
| Chest
Discomfort |
Chest discomfort
is mild to moderate with a cold. |
Chest discomfort
is often severe with the flu. |
http://www.dailypress.com/health/dp-flu-symptoms-table,0,7286172.htmlstory
New Toll-Free H1N1 Information Line in English and Spanish
Santa Barbara County Department of Public Health has a new
toll-free information line, 888-722-6358.
This line will be in operation from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each weekday. Callers can get questions concerning
vaccines, how to prevent the spread of the virus, when to seek medical care and
how families can develop plans for those who become sick.
Additional
information about H1N1 and the county’s preparations is available at www.sbcfluinfo.org
Influenza Information
What is the flu?
The flu (influenza) is an infection
of the nose, throat, and lungs caused by influenza viruses. Flu viruses
cause illness, hospital stays and deaths in the United States each year.
There are many different flu viruses and sometimes a new flu virus emerges
to make people sick.
The flu can be very serious,
especially for younger children and children of any age who have one
or more chronic medical conditions. These conditions include asthma
or other lung problems, diabetes, weakened immune systems, kidney disease,
heart problems, and neurological and neuromuscular disorders. These
conditions can result in more severe illness from influenza, including
the new H1N1 virus.
H1N1 flu continues to be present
in California. We know that most people recover from H1N1
infection without the need
for hospitalization or medical care. National levels of severe
illness
from H1N1 influenza appear
to be similar to levels for seasonal influenza.
How to Prevent the Flu
The single
best way to prevent the seasonal flu is to get a flu vaccination each
year. Other precautions one can take to prevent the spread of seasonal
flu or H1N1 influenza are:
- Covering your mouth
and nose when you cough or sneeze
- Wash hands often
with soap and water
- Avoid touching your
eyes, nose, or mouth
- Try to avoid close
contact with sick people
What Should You Do If
You Get The Flu?
The Santa Barbara Public Health
Department recommends residents follow the advice of the
Centers of Disease Control
(CDC) www.flu.gov when they or someone in their family
is sick with symptoms that are similar to regular flu symptoms.
These easy steps will help individuals
recover and prevent the spread
of the flu to others.
If you or a family member get
symptoms similar to the seasonal flu, (fever, cough, sore throat,
runny/stuffy nose, body aches,
headache, chills and fatigue), the following steps should be taken:
- Avoid Contact
with Others – Stay home and stay away from others as much as possible.
Do not travel or go to work for at least 24 hours after your fever is
gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine and you feel capable
of doing usual routines.
- Recover at home
– Get plenty of rest and drink clear liquids. Most individuals
will recover at home without needing medical care. If you have
severe illness or are at high risk for flu complications, contact your
health provider.
- Wear a face mask
– When it is necessary to leave your home to go to the doctor’s
office or when in common space shared with others, wear a facemask to
decrease the spread of the virus to others.
- Cover your nose
and mouth – When you cough or sneeze, cover with a tissue, and
throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If a tissue isn’t
available, cough or sneeze into your shoulder or your elbow.
- Wash your hands
– Wash often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching
your eyes, nose, and mouth - Germs spread this way.
When can I return to
work or school?
• Free of Fever (<100°)
for >24 Hours
- Without use of antipyretics
(medications that reduce fever)
• No Residual Bothersome
Symptoms
- Goopy nose, hacking
cough, misery
• Ability to Fully Participate
- Alert, cooperative,
“usual self”
• A Medical Release is NOT
Required
- Physicians will
not be testing or making confirmed diagnoses
H1N1 (Swine Flu) Brochures:
English: http://www.countyofsb.org/uploadedFiles/pandemic/Precautions%20Brochure%20English%20and%20Spanish.pdf
Spanish: http://www.countyofsb.org/uploadedFiles/pandemic/Precautions%20Brochure%20Spanish.pdf
Important Links:
Santa Barbara County Public
Health Department: http://www.sbcphd.org/
Pandemic Flu: http://www.countyofsb.org/pandemic/default_H1N1.aspx?id=14790
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
