Knowledge is power
May 6, 2009 -- Worried about coming down with swine flu (influenza A/H1N1)? Don't be a victim of mass hysteria. Instead, empower yourself with information and be on the lookout for symptoms of this viral illness.
In assessing swine flu, the World Health Organization raised its alert level to 5; and that's one phase away from the swine flu being considered a pandemic, which is defined as a global outbreak of disease.
After the WHO's announcement of its phase 5 alert of the human form of swine flu, it seems as if the entire world is alarmed about influenza A/H1N1. But don't panic; instead, learn more about how to prevent H1N1 infection and know its symptoms.
Swine flu (influenza A/H1N1) symptoms
The following symptoms can indicate you've contracted influenza A/H1N1. After a 24 to 48 hour incubation period, the virus can leave you with:
-A fever
-Muscle pain, particularly back muscle pain
-An irritated throat
-Headaches
-Intense fatigue, possibly resulting from pain
-Difficulty breathing
-Dry and deep episodic coughing
-A runny nose
-Loss of appetite
-Diarrhea (rare)
-Nausea and vomiting (rare)
Information released by the World Health Organization warns that you may not be able to tell the difference between seasonal flu and influenza A/H1N1 without medical help so see your doctor if you suspect you may have contracted the virus.
Fighting off a cold or flu? Here's help:
-Is it a cold or flu? How to tell the difference
-Natural cold and flu relief
-Brand vs. generic cold medication
-Hand-washing 101
Read more about swine flu at our sister site, CanadianLiving.com. Click: swine flu is spreading. Here's what you can do
