What to Do If You Have the Swine Flu

You have a fever, a bad headache, a sore throat, and numerous body aches. To top it all off, the headaches are paired with frequent vomiting and diarrhea. A doctor's visit confirms your suspicions: it's swine flu, the pandemic currently sweeping the nation.

So what do you do if you have swine flu?

First off, don't panic. Swine flu does kill, but only if your immune system is too weak to fight off the virus. Second, follow these swine flu treatment tips. It can help you recover quickly from the illness.

What to Do if You Have the Swine Flu

1. Treat your symptoms with oseltamivir or zanamivir, prescription antiviral drugs that inhibits virus reproduction in the body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), oseltamivir and zanamivir prevent the H1N1 virus from replicating itself in the body, limiting the damage it causes.

Used appropriately, both treatments reduce its symptoms while preventing more serious complications. Antiviral treatments also shorten the severity and length of the flu.

2. Stay home. Going to work, visiting friends, or going to school is out of the question-you could accidentally spread the H1N1 virus to other people, causing them to get sick. It can also make your treatment less effective.

Begin by canceling any planned social events or activities. If applicable, notify your school or work that you have the swine flu. If your school or workplace requests a note, ask your physician to write one.

3. Rest and drink plenty of fluids. Like with the regular flu, swine flu treatment also includes plenty of rest and liquids, which allows the body to heal. Avoid doing too many activities-get help for daily chores if needed-and drink plenty of water, warm broth, or soup all day as part of treatment.

Treatment also includes taking medications to combat some of it symptoms. Head and body aches can be treated with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, sold under the brand names Advil and Tylenol. Some cold medications can also treat other swine flu symptoms.

Make sure to speak with your doctor before taking any other treatments, however. It could interact badly with your current medications or your health.

What Do I Do if I Have the Swine Flu?

If you have the swine flu, don't panic. You're not going to die. Although it has resulted in some deaths, many people fully recover, often within a week. Using appropriate treatments for the swine flu, such as taking antiviral medications, getting plenty of rest, and using medications to treat other symptoms also helps lessen the severity of swine flu.

Sources:
"2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and You", CDC.gov