Flu Symptoms

If you have flu symptoms...
early treatment could be very important

Flu symptoms...

• Symptoms usually appear suddenly and can include cough and a fever, sore throat, muscle aches, joint pain, fatigue.
• You may sometimes feel sick to your stomach, vomit or have diarrhea. Elderly people, young children and people with lowered immunity may not have a fever. Some people do not have all of the usual symptoms.
• If your symptoms are mild and you aren't at increased risk for severe illness (see the list below) stay home, treat your fever and other symptoms, drink fluids, limit unnecessary contact with others and rest until you feel well enough to return to work or school. Monitor yourself or your child for persistent or worsening symptoms. Most Manitobans who became ill during the first wave of H1N1 did not need specific medical care or hospitalization.
• Unlike other flu seasons, people under 65 have been at greater risk for severe H1N1 illness than people who are older.

Contact your health care provider...

• If you have flu symptoms and you also have an increased risk for severe H1N1 illness, for example:

  - children under five - Aboriginal ancestry - disadvantaged populations (eg. homeless) - people living in remote or isolated areas - chronic medical condition

  - severe obesity - alcoholism - weakened immune system - pregnant women

  People 65 years and older and others who may be frail, have mobility problems or live alone may be at risk for severe illness from H1N1 and seasonal flu.

• If your flu symptoms persist or get worse (even if you don't have risks for severe illness).
• If you are concerned about your health - regardless of when you last saw your doctor.
• Early treatment including anti-viral medications (Tamiflu® or Relenza®) - ideally within 24 hours - may be very important. If you are not able to contact your health care provider for advice, you can call Health Links-Info Santé at 788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257.

For personal health advice call your health care provider
or call Health Links-Info Santé at
788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257