Symptoms

• Symptoms of the flu virus (H1N1 and seasonal)
• Severity Indicators
• People at Risk of Complications

Symptoms of the flu virus (H1N1 and seasonal)

Everyone is at risk of catching the H1N1 flu virus — even healthy, young adults. We do not know exactly what symptoms the virus will cause in each case, but we expect that an average sickness will show the following symptoms:

 

 

People who are generally healthy and develop these flu symptoms can get better at home. The worst of the infection will likely be over within one week. If you have flu-like symptoms and are otherwise healthy, stay home to avoid spreading the virus.

Severity Indicators

If you develop the following symptoms, you need to see a health care provider right away:

• Shortness of breath, rapid or difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Bluish or grey skin color
• Bloody or coloured mucus/spit
• Sudden dizziness or confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• High fever lasting more than three days
• Low blood pressure

Additional symptoms to watch for in children:

• Not drinking enough fluids or eating
• Not waking up or interacting
• Irritability; not wanting to play or be held

People at Risk of Complications

The following groups are not more likely to get the H1N1 virus. However, they are more at risk of developing complications if they do get sick:

• 1

  Children under five years of age (especially those less than two years old)

• 2

  Women who are pregnant

• 3

  People with chronic conditions such as:

  • Heart disease
  • Liver disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Blood disorders
  • Diabetes
  • Severe obesity
  • Asthma and chronic lung disease
  • Immunosuppressed (people taking cancer drugs or people with HIV AIDS)
  • Neurological disorders

Early treatment can help to reduce the risk of complications, so it's important that you speak to a medical professional if you develop flu symptoms, and seek medical care if the symptoms worsen.

IMPORTANT If you have flu symptoms and you have one of these risk factors, contact a health care provider as soon as possible — antiviral medications may be needed.