Most people who get the H1N1 Flu Virus will not be sick enough to need medical care and can be looked after at home.
Use these guidelines to help decide when you can safely look after yourself and your loved ones and when to seek medical care.
To avoid spreading the flu virus:
Wash your hands frequently
Cough and sneeze into your elbow and not your hands
If you are sick, stay home
Keep commonly touched surfaces (door knobs, handrails) clean
Get vaccinated
| When to stay home |
No fever, but does have these symptoms: - Sore throat
- Stuffy/runny nose
- Mild or moderate cough
- Tired
| ADVICE - Probably a cold
- Rest at home
|
Fever over 38° C (100.4°F) with these symptoms: - Cough
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Very tired
- Muscle aches
| ADVICE - Probably the flu
- Rest at home
- Call 8-1-1 for advice, if needed
|
| When to contact your doctor |
AT RISK FOR COMPLICATIONS - Children under 2 years old
- Pregnant women
- People with chronic health conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes, heart disease)
| ADVICE Consult your doctor to discuss flu management plan BEFORE you become ill, or if you develop flu symptoms |
| Go to emergency, call 9-1-1 if necessary |
- Difficulty breathing or short of breath
- Blue lips
- Severe neck stiffness
- Confusion, difficulty waking
- Convulsions
- No urination for 12 hours
- Fever in infant under 3 months
| ADVICE - Go to emergency immediately
|
For more information and decision making tools to help you decide when it is time to seek medical care, please consult the guide H1N1 Pandemic Preparedness: Be Prepared, Be Well .
- Page 10: How to Measure breathing
- Page 11: Symptom checker for adults
- Page 12: Symptom checker for older children (6-16 years)
- Page 13: Symptom checker for infants or young children (0-6 years)
