H1N1 Flu Tips

Posted on Monday, September 28, 2009

H1N1 has put a new wrinkle into this years flu season, and the South Dakota Department of Health wants to make sure you know what to do if you feel under the weather. According to State Epidemiologist Dr. Lon Kightlinger, most normally healthy people who get either H1N1 or seasonal flu can recover at home without a visit to a doctor.

H1N1 flu is the predominant flu virus circulating right now so it's really not necessary to test everyone to find out which virus they have, Dr. Kightlinger says most people with flu symptoms will recover by resting at home and drinking plenty of fluids. Rather than test every individual with flu symptoms, the department monitors the virus through a statewide network of 70 clinics that submit samples for testing and through rapid flu test data submitted by all hospitals and all clinics. Hospitals are also required to report flu-associated hospitalizations and deaths to the department. Additionally, the department monitors illness-related absenteeism across the state through data submitted by schools.

Kightlinger said there are several warning signs indicating the need for medical treatment. With children who have flu symptoms, seek medical care if the child has trouble breathing, has bluish or grayish skin color, isnt drinking enough, is difficult to wake or is extremely irritable. Ill adults who have difficulty breathing, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness or confusion should also seek care. Warning signs for both adults and children include severe or persistent vomiting or flu symptoms that improve but then return with fever and a worse cough.

Other good advice to follow if you get sick. Stay home, drink plenty of fluids and rest as much as possible, avoid travel, wash your hands frequently and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness.