Over the past few months, the H1N1 virus, also known as “swine flu,” has spread rapidly across the United States. However, it’s often hard to distinguish between a common cold, the flu and H1N1 because the symptoms can be very similar. So if you or a loved one become ill, how can you tell the difference?
According to the CDC, the symptoms of a cold often last for three to five days and generally include a stuffy nose, mild body aches, fatigue and sometimes a cough. Complications from the common cold are usually minor and can include upper respiratory infections that stick around after the cold virus is gone.
The symptoms of the H1N1 and flu viruses tend to be more severe and can have serious consequences in the young, elderly and people with compromised immune symptoms. The CDC states that symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu virus include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. In addition, some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. It should also be noted that occasionally people infected with strains of influenza (including H1N1) may have respiratory symptoms without a fever. Because the symptoms of H1N1 and seasonal flu are so similar, often the only way to distinguish between the two is with a test performed by your doctor.
The CDC also warns that if these symptoms develop, emergency medical care should be sought:
In children:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash
In adults:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Visit the following links for more information:
FluView – A Weekly Influenza Surveillance Report