Antiviral Medications

Most people with the flu do not need antiviral medications. If you have the flu, check with your doctor to see if you need antiviral medication. You will need it if you are in a high-risk group or if you have a severe illness, such as breathing problems.

Antiviral medications do not cure the flu. They may help relieve symptoms and shorten the time you are sick. They must be taken within 48 hours of the first symptoms.

Oseltamivir (and perhaps zanamivir) may increase the risk of self-injury and confusion shortly after taking, especially in children. Children should be closely monitored for signs of unusual behavior.

Some antiviral medications sometimes used to treat some kinds of seasonal flu do not work against the pandemic H1N1 flu.

Note: Aspirin can cause serious complications in some children with certain infections. It is best to avoid aspirin or aspirin products for children with infections.

Other Measures

There are other measures you can take, such as:

• Getting plenty of rest to help your body fight the flu
• Drinking a lot of liquids, including water, juice, and non-caffeinated tea
• Taking over the counter (OTC) pain relievers and fever reducers
• Taking other OTC products (such as decongestants, saline nasal sprays, cough medicines)
  • Talk to your doctor about what is safe for you or your child to take. For example, cough and cold products can cause serious side effects in young children.

Talk to a doctor or pharmacist if you are taking more than one drug. Some drugs can be dangerous when mixed. This includes OTC medications and herb or dietary supplements.

Vaccine

A pandemic H1N1 flu vaccine is available. The vaccine comes in 2 forms: a nasal spray and a shot. The nasal spray will be given in 2 doses (given one month apart) for children aged 2-9 years and in 1 dose for persons aged 10-49 years. The shot will be given in 2 doses (given one month apart) to children aged 6 months to 9 years old and in one dose for people aged 10 years and older. Make sure you talk to your healthcare provider about which vaccine is right for you.

Ways to Avoid Getting the Pandemic H1N1 Flu

There are general measures you can take to reduce your risk of getting the virus:

• Wash your hands often, especially when you come in contact with someone who is sick. Wash your hands for 15 to 20 seconds with soap and water. Rubbing alcohol-based cleaners on your hands is also helpful.
• Avoid close contact with people who have respiratory infections. The flu can spread starting 1 day before and ending 7 days after symptoms appear.
• Avoid crowded gatherings, especially if you are at high risk for complications from the pandemic H1N1 flu. Consider using a disposable face mask if you are at high risk and are unable to avoid crowded areas where at least one case of the pandemic H1N1 flu has been confirmed.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away the tissue after you use it. Coughing or sneezing into your elbow or upper sleeve is also helpful.
• Do not share drinks or personal items.
• Do not bite your nails or put your hands near your eyes, mouth, or nose.
• Keep surfaces clean by wiping them with a household disinfectant.
• Do not use products sold on the Internet claiming to prevent the pandemic H1N1 flu. Talk to your doctor before using such products.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you or your child do not attend swine flu parties.

If you are taking care of someone who has the pandemic H1N1 flu, follow these steps:

• To prevent areas from being contaminated, try to keep the person who is sick in one room of the house.
• Wash your hands after having contact with the person.
• If you cannot avoid close contact with the sick person, cover your mouth and nose with a face mask (or a N95 respirator if available).
• Limit contact with other members of the household or community while taking care of the person.
• The person who is sick should have little contact with others and stay home from school or work. You can go to school or work if you feel well, but remember to keep track of your health and take precautions (like washing your hands).
• If you develop symptoms of a flu-like illness, call your doctor (or do as advised by local public health officials) immediately.

Ways to Avoid Spreading the Pandemic H1N1 Flu

If you have the pandemic H1N1 flu, take these steps to avoid spreading it to others:

• Avoid close contact with people. Before you can return to school or work, your fever should be gone for at least 24 hours without the help of fever-reducing medication. This could take up to 7 days after symptoms first appear. It is important to stay home if you have the flu, leaving your house only to see your doctor.
• If you cannot avoid close contact, cover your mouth and nose with a face mask.
• Wash your hands often. Rubbing alcohol-based cleaners on your hands is also helpful.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away the tissue after you use it. Coughing or sneezing into your elbow or upper sleeve will also keep you from spreading the flu with your hands. Do not spit.
• Do not share drinks or personal items.
• Wash eating utensils with hot water and soap.
• Do not bite your nails or put your hands near your eyes, mouth, or nose.
• Keep surfaces clean by wiping them with a household disinfectant.
• Use the hot setting on your washing machine when washing infected laundry.