Illness and symptoms
Q: What symptoms do people with the new A(H1N1) influenza have?
A: The symptoms caused by the new A(H1N1) flu in people are similar to
those caused by normal flu, eg a fever, cough, sore throat, aching muscles
and joints, a headache, shivering and fatigue. Some patients have also
reported diarrhoea and vomiting. The symptoms normally appear abruptly, with
a fever and general symptoms as the first signs. Some people develop more
serious symptoms. As with normal seasonal flu, the new A(H1N1) can
exacerbate an underlying chronic condition.
Q: What should I do if I fall ill with the new influenza?
A: Stay at home for 7 days after you fell ill. Keep sick children off
school/nursery for the same amount of time. Accept help and care, but as far
as possible avoid having close contact with other people to minimise the
number of people you infect. Otherwise do what you normally do when you are
ill: rest, make sure you drink plenty of fluids, and, if necessary, take
appropriate medication to lower your temperature.
Always contact the health service if you feel very ill. When you call,
describe your symptoms and say whether you are pregnant or are suffering
from a chronic illness. If possible stay at home and have contact with as
few other people as possible until a diagnosis is confirmed or not. The
doctor will assess whether you should be tested and whether you need
treatment.
Q: I am pregnant, do I run a bigger risk of falling ill with influenza?
A: The vast majority of women who catch the flu while pregnant go on to
give birth without any problems. Pregnant women are no more likely than
anyone else to catch the new A(H1N1) flu. But if they do become infected,
they run a bigger risk of experiencing complications such as pneumonia and
breathing difficulties. Serious complications can lead to miscarriage or
premature labour.
Women who are in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy are recommended
to be vaccinated against the new strain of flu. Women in the first trimester
of pregnancy, who are at risk of serious illness, may be vaccinated after a
careful assessment of their underlying medical condition. If vaccination is
not relevant in the first three months of pregnancy, it is important to
protect the woman from infection, by those in close contact with her having
the vaccine. Avoiding contact with people suffering from influenza at work
is also a sensible precaution for the pregnant woman herself.
[Publisert: 25.11.2009]
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