I Have Swine Flu: What Do I Do?

As it can happen that people could get lost with all the flu-talking of these days, we decided to publish some tips on how to reduce the risk of contraction, how to recognize it and what to do if you recognize any of the symptoms described below.

To protect yourself against swine flu the Health Protection Inspectorate recommends to wash your hands often, avoid close contact with sick people, Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Stay home when sick. Healthy people do not need to wear face masks, while sick-people should do that when they go to visit a doctor or to work despite the illness.

By symptoms swine flu is very similar to seasonal flu: the sudden start of the illness, high fever (38 °C and more), cough, headache, throat or muscle ache, or breathing difficulties. Diarrhea may also occur.

To treat swine flu the prescription medicine Tamiflu, prescribed in serious cases, is not necessarily needed. In many cases the illness could be treated with traditional means as well.

“For relieving the symptoms of the flu usual fever reducers and pain killers (paracetamole, ibuprofen) and cold medicines are suitable as well,“ said the director general of the State Agency of Medicines Kristin Raudsepp.

Nevertheless, she warned that for treating children and young, acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) should be avoided. Raudsepp also turned the attention on the fact that for treating virus diseases-induced common cold on children there shouldn’t be used medicines containing several active ingredients.