Medical Care: Agap Kamay at Sariling Tulong

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H1N1 Information and Guidelines from the United Nations...Continued

How do you know you have Influenza?

Seasonal Influenza:
• Fever
• Headache
• Aching muscles
• Exhaustion and feeling weak
• Loss of appetite
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Dry cough

Pandemic Influenza:
While the first symptoms of pandemic influenza might be similar to seasonal flu symptoms, how the symptoms develop will depend on the nature of the specific virus. It is likely that most people will recover without needing medical attention, but the following symptoms may help you decide if you need to seek medical help:

• Shortness of breath while resting or doing very little work
• Persistent fever for 4 or 5 days
• Painful or difficult breathing
• Coughing up a lot of phlegm or bloody sputum
• Wheezing
• You are feeling better and then you develop a new fever or worsening cough with sputum
• You feel very drowsy and others have difficulty waking you up or note you seem confused or disorientated

Cold or Flu?
Learn the differences between influenza symptoms and those of a common cold.*

Cold:
-Fever... rare
-Headache.... rare
-General aches and pains...slight
-Fatigue, weakness....sometimes
-Extreme Exhaustion....never
-Stuffy Nose....common
-Sneezing....usual
-Sore Throat...common
-Chest Discomfort, cough....mild to moderate hacking cough

Flu:
-Usual; high (100°F to 102°F; occasionally higher, especially in young children); lasts 3-4 days
-Headache.....common
-General aches and pains....usual, often severe
-Fatigue, weakness....usual can last up to 2-3 weeks
-Extreme Exhaustion....usually, especially at the beginning of the illness
-Stuffy Nose.....Sometimes
-Sneezing.....Sometimes
-Sore Throat....Sometimes
-Chest Discomfort.....Common, can become severe*

* National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, September 2005 (http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/cold/sick.pdf)

HOW DO YOU REDUCE YOUR RISK OF CONTRACTING INFLUENZA?

Personal Hygiene:

The practice of good personal hygiene is one of the most effective strategies any individual can implement to reduce their risk of being infected by the influenza virus. Important points are:

• Cover the nose and mouth with the sleeve when coughing or sneezing (not with the hand, as that contaminates the hand for touching and spreading organisms further);

• Use a tissue for cleaning/blowing the nose, and dispose of it after use;

• Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing, using a tissue, or touching any surface that may have become contaminated by a prior user. If using a surgical mask, dispose of it carefully after use and wash hands:

° Wash hands with soap and water (preferable) or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner;

° When you wash your hands, wash for at least 20 seconds, making sure that all surfaces of hands and fingers are cleaned.

• Become “touch aware”, and avoid touching surfaces that are likely to have been touched by others (door handles, stair railings, etc);

Other tips:

• Avoid handshaking, social kissing, and other social rituals that involve touching others.

• Be careful with respiratory secretions when around other people (e.g. coughing and sneezing). If possible, avoid contact with individuals at risk (small children or those with underlying or chronic illnesses) until respiratory symptoms have resolved.

For more information on personal hygiene measures, see:
• www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits/index.htm
• www.cdc.gov/cleanhands/