Symptoms of the swine flu - from a mother's perspective

[5ft Diva]

**I am not paranoid about this - I just like to be informed so I'm sharing information with you that was shared with me.

I have a friend who's daughter got the swine flu. Here's the symptoms she told me to look for.

Headache
Very sore throat
Dry cough
Achy body
Fever
Fatigue

HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS - if your family gets it plan on being out for a week. Should stay away from school/work until showing no symptoms for 24 hours. (This is information her doctor told her.)

More information she told me was that when you start to see the symptoms go to the doctor because there is nothing they can give you if it's full blown. She said her daughter requested soft cold foods while she had the flu because her throat was so sore. She also said to make sure they stay hydrated. Her daughter is 17 and fainted on the bathroom floor (tile - can you say OUCH!?). Anyway, I just thought this would be good information for anyone who didn't know too much about this....I didn't.

As far as the regular flu virus, I'm sure you've all had it and know those symptoms.

[natickgirl]

Thanks for the info! Sounds like H1N1 symptoms are the same as regular flu symptoms, only may (or may not) be more severe. My DH was knocked out for almost a full week with the seasonal flu a few years ago. Can't imagine the H1N1 could be any worse...I've never seen him so sick.

Thanks for the reminder re: keeping people hydrated. I think people are just semi-paranoid about H1N1 because it seems to be more contagious, and seems to be more severe in children than the seasonal flu usually is.