Common questions about H1N1 (Swine) Flu

Infectious disease specialist Manjusha Gaglani, M.D. recently answered common questions about the current H1N1 (Swine) Flu outbreak.

Q. How can you tell whether you have the swine flu or the more common (seasonal) flu?

A. Influenza has a sudden onset with fever, chills, malaise (feeling bad), sore throat, cough, headache and body aches. This particular virus (H1N1) is also causing vomiting and diarrhea in some people. Older persons may not get a fever and young infants may have only a feverx.

Q. What’s the best way to protect ourselves when traveling? Will a mask help?

A. If you have any chronic medical condition that puts you at a higher risk of complications from influenza, such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease, you should consider wearing a mask. You should keep a small alcohol-based hand sanitizer handy to keep your hands clean. Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth very much.

Q. What should patients who are already infected do?

A. Most people who are otherwise healthy should stay home and drink plenty of fluids and take medicine to keep their fever down. Watch for worsening symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, inability to keep any fluids down, difficulty breathing or chest pain. Go see your doctor if you are feeling worse and call your doctor if you are not sure.

Dr. Gaglani is an infectious disease specialist at Scott & White Healthcare and associate professor of pediatric infectious diseases at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine. She is also the principal Scott & White investigator of a landmark study that suggests that vaccines given to school-age children reduce flu infections in the children as well as their families and communities.