Placeholder Image

Subtitles section Play video

  • Hi. I'm Dr. Joe Bresee with CDC's Influenza Division.

  • I'm here to speak with you today

  • about the symptoms of swine-flu infections

  • and what to do if you get sick.

  • Since March 2009,

  • persons with infection caused by a new strain of swine-flu virus

  • have been identified in the U.S. and other countries.

  • It's important that people recognize

  • the symptoms of swine flu

  • and seek medical care if necessary.

  • For many years,

  • we've known that swine flu occasionally infects humans,

  • so we know the typical symptoms of swine flu.

  • Symptoms are similar

  • to the symptoms of regular human flu

  • and can include fever, cough,

  • sore throat, body aches,

  • headache, chills, or fatigue.

  • Some people with swine flu

  • have also reported diarrhea or vomiting.

  • In the past, severe illness

  • such as pneumonia or respiratory failure,

  • as well as death, has been reported

  • with swine-flu infections in people.

  • Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening

  • of underlying chronic medical conditions.

  • If you live in an area

  • where swine-flu infections have been reported

  • and if you become ill with flu-like symptoms,

  • you may want to contact your healthcare provider,

  • particularly if you're worried about your symptoms.

  • Your healthcare provider will determine

  • whether swine-flu testing or treatment is needed.

  • If you become ill

  • and experience any of the following warning signs,

  • get emergency medical care.

  • 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,

  • fever with a rash,

  • or flu-like symptoms that improve

  • but then return with fever or worse cough.

  • 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, confusion,

  • or severe or persistent vomiting.

  • People with swine flu can infect others

  • and could be contagious as long as they are symptomatic

  • and possibly for up to seven days

  • following the onset of illness.

  • Children, especially younger children,

  • might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

  • Fortunately, there are medicines

  • that can be used to treat swine flu.

  • Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines

  • such as pills, liquids, or an inhaler

  • that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses

  • from reproducing in your body.

  • If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder

  • and can make you feel better faster.

  • They may also prevent serious flu complications.

  • For treatment, antiviral drugs work best

  • if started within two days of symptoms.

  • CDC recommends the use

  • of oseltamivir, which is also called Tamiflu,

  • or zanamivir, which is also called Relenza,

  • for the treatment or prevention

  • of infection with these swine-flu viruses.

  • If you get sick with swine flu,

  • CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school

  • and limit contact with others

  • to reduce the chance of transmitting the infection.

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth

  • because germs can spread that way.

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue

  • when coughing or sneezing.

  • It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

  • For more information about swine flu,

  • visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu.

Hi. I'm Dr. Joe Bresee with CDC's Influenza Division.

Subtitles and vocabulary

Click the word to look it up Click the word to find further inforamtion about it