Sick with swine flu.indd

If you are Sick with Suspected or Confirmed Swine Flu.
• Check with your healthcare provider about any special care you might need if you are preg- nant or have a health condition such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, or emphysema. • Check with your healthcare provider about whether you should take (or continue) antiviral • Stay home for seven days after the start of illness and until fever is gone. • Drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants) to keep • Cover your coughs and sneezes. Clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often and especially after using tissues and after coughing or sneezing into hands. • Avoid close contact with others. Do not go to work or school while ill. • Be watchful for emergency warning signs (see below) that might indicate you need to seek When to Seek Emergency Medical Care
Get medical care right away if the sick person at home:• has difficulty breathing or chest pain • has purple or blue discoloration of the lips • is vomiting and unable to keep liquids down • has signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, absence of urination, or in • has seizures (for example, uncontrolled convulsions) • is less responsive than normal or becomes confused We’re here for you when you need us.
2 1 0 4 T H A V E N U E , G R I N N E L L • 6 4 1 - 2 3 6 - 7 5 1 1 • W W W . G R M C . U S Medications to Help Lessen Symptoms of the Flu
Check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist for correct, safe use of medications Antiviral medications can sometimes help lessen influenza symptoms, but require a prescription. Most people do not need these antiviral drugs to fully recover from the flu. However, persons at high- er risk for severe flu complications or those with severe flu illness who require hospitalization might benefit from antiviral medications. Antiviral medications are available for persons 1 year of age and older. Ask your healthcare provider whether you need antiviral medication.
Influenza infections can lead to or occur with bacterial infections. Therefore, some people will also need to take antibiotics. More severe or prolonged illness or illness that seems to get better, but then gets worse again may be an indication that a person has a bacterial infection. Check with your health- Warning! Do not give aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) to children or teenagers who have the flu; this
can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s Syndrome. For more information about Reye’s Syn- drome, visit the National Institute of Health website at www.ninds.nih.gov.
• Check ingredient labels on over-the-counter cold and flu medications to see if they contain • Teenagers with the flu can take medicines without aspirin, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®)
and ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, Nuprin®), to relieve symptoms. • Children younger than 2 years of age should not be given over-the-counter cold medications without first speaking with a healthcare provider. • The safest care for flu symptoms in children younger than 2 years of age is using a cool-mist humidifier and a suction bulb to help clear away mucus. • Fevers and aches can be treated with acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, Nuprin®) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Examples of these Generic Name
Brand Name(s)
• Over-the-counter cold and flu medications used according to the package instructions may help lessen some symptoms such as cough and congestion. These medications will not make • Check the ingredients on the package label to see if the medication already contains acetamino- phen or ibuprofen before taking additional doses of these medications. Don’t double dose! Patients with kidney disease or stomach problems should check with their health care provider Check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are taking other over-the-counter or prescription medications not related to the flu. For more information on products for treating flu symptoms, see the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2005/105_buy.html.

Source: http://www.grmc.us/images/Sick.pdf