When should you seek medical care?

1.   When should I seek medical care? (Updated 9/14/09)

• Use the same judgment you would use during a typical flu season.     
• Do not seek medical care if you are not ill or have mild symptoms for which you would not ordinarily seek medical care.      
• If you have more severe symptoms such as increased shortness of breathe, are unable to keep liquids down, or are feeling more seriously ill, call your health care provider to discuss   your symptoms and if you need to be evaluated.        
• Also, if you are pregnant or have a chronic medical condition you may want to consult with your provider.  
• If the following flu-like symptoms are mild, medical attention is not typically required. 
  • Runny nose or nasal stuffiness
  • Low-grade fever for less than 3 days
  • Mild headache
  • Body aches
  • Mild stomach upset

2. What can I do now to get prepared?

This is an excellent time to get prepared at home and work for a possible influenza pandemic. See http://knoxcounty.org/health/emer_prepare/pandemic_flu.php

3.  Everyday behaviors to stay healthy

• If you are sick, stay home from work or school.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If you don't have access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• To further prevent the spread of germs, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Avoid close contact with sick people

4.  What is swine flu?

"Swine flu" is an influenza A (H1N1) virus normally found in pigs. There are many such viruses and they rarely infect humans. The virus currently causing human illness is a new type of swine flu that has developed the ability to infect people and be transmitted from person to person.
Although this new virus is called "swine flu," it is not transmitted from pigs to humans, or from eating pork products. Like other respiratory diseases, it is spread from person to person through coughs and sneezes. When people cough or sneeze, they spread germs through the air or onto surfaces that other people may touch.


For more information and frequent updates: http://knoxcounty.org/flu or http://flu.gov

Questions about flu: 215-5093.
Phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.