Symptoms
Swine flu is highly contagious. Symptoms begin within two days of exposure, at which point the person is most infectious. They are very similar to those produced by seasonal flu, including
- High fever (usually above 38 ºC).
- Cough.
- Sore throat.
- Headache.
- Aching muscles.
- Chills and shivers despite fever.
- Exhaustion or fatigue.
- Diarrhoea or a stomach upset have been a particular feature of novel H1N1
How is it Different from normal Cold
It can be difficult to tell mild flu from a cold but it is usually more generalized (the symptoms of a cold tend to be limited to the head while the flu causes aching and fatigue all over) and more severe with higher fever.
| Symptoms |
Cold |
Flu |
| Fever | Rare | Characteristic, high 100-102 degrees F), lasts 3-4 days |
| Headache | Rare | Prominent |
| General aches, pains | Slight Usual, | often severe |
| Fatigue, Weakness | Quite mild | Can last up to 2-3 weeks |
| Extreme Exhaustion | Never | Early and prominent |
| Stuffy Nose | Common | Sometimes |
| Chest Discomfort,Cough | Mild to moderate, hacking cough | Common; can become severe |
Precautions
As with all infections, good hygiene is absolutely essential to reduce the risk of spread or contact with the virus
- Avoid close contact with people who have fever and a cough.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
- Clean hard surfaces (like door handles and remote controls) frequently with a normal cleaning product
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Use tissues and dispose of them carefully.
- The effectiveness of wearing a face mask in preventing transmission of the flu virus isn’t yet clear, although it may give some protection to those people such as health professionals who work closely with someone with symptoms of flu.
