Common Sense Swine Flu Check-List

If YOU have a Flu-Like Illness Including: Fever > 100ºF (37.8ºC) AND COUGH OR SORE THROAT

- AND -

History of travel to an affected area within 7 days of illness onset OR Contact with an ill person fitting the above travel description within 7 days of illness onset

 

 Then Stay Home & CALL Your Doctor!

 

IF you have no link to affected areas or travelers from affected areas, but you are mildly sick with flu-like symptoms - STAY HOME and recover - unless you have the following worrisome WARNING SIGNS:

In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness or confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

Common sense precautions include:

• Wash your hands often, especially after coughing, sneezing, and wiping or blowing the nose.
• Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
• Use paper tissues when wiping or blowing your nose; throw tissues away after each use.
• Stay away from crowded living and sleeping spaces, if possible.
• Stay home and avoid contact with other people to protect them from catching your illness.

Source: Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene