Highline Medical Center is working together with Seattle and King County Public Health and following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines closely, to plan for the upcoming flu season. We would like to help you prepare for this year by compiling all the latest news and information in one spot.

Check back for current links and updates throughout the flu season!

When to seek medical care for possible influenza, including H1N1 (swine flu)

What is influenza?

Influenza (also known as the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. Seasonal flu and H1N1 are both influenza viruses that can cause mild to severe illness. Influenza usually comes on suddenly and typically includes fever and cough or sore throat. Other symptoms may include headache, extreme tiredness, runny or stuffy nose, or muscle aches. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are other flu symptoms and are more common in children than adults.

Does everyone with the flu need to see a health care provide or get tested and treated?

Most children and adults with the flu who are generally in good health will recover without needing to visit a health care provider. Some people may want to call their health care provider for advice on how to care for the flu at home.

I think I have the flu. Can I get tested and treatment for H1N1 influenza or seasonal flu?

Testing and treatment is not needed or recommended for most children and adults who get the flu. Antiviral medication is not currently recommended except for people with the flu who are at higher risk for complications (see below) or have severe illness.

Do I need to go to the emergency room if I am only a little sick?

No. The emergency room should be used for people who are very sick. You should not go to the emergency room if you are only mildly ill. If you have the emergency warning signs of the flu sickness, you should go to the emergency room. If you get sick with flu symptoms and are at high risk of flu complications or you are concerned about your illness, call your health care provider for advice. If you go to the emergency room and you are not sick with the flu, you may catch it from people who do have it.

General advice if you think you have the flu

• If you are sick with the flu, you may be ill for a week or longer. Please stay home, except if you need medical care or other necessities, so you can get better and prevent others from getting ill. Drink plenty of fluids and rest as much as possible. Avoid travel.
• Do not go to work or school until at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. Your fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine like acetomenophen (Tylenol.) and ibuprofen (Motrin).
• If you leave the house to seek medical care, wear a facemask.
• Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap or use a hand sanitizer.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the sleeve of your elbow.
• In general, avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness, especially those with one of the high-risk chronic conditions listed above.

Who is at increased risk for flu complications?

People at increased risk for flu complications are:

• Children younger than 5 years old – particularly children younger than 2 years old, for whom the risk for severe complications from seasonal influenza is highest.
• Adults 65 years of age or older
• Pregnant women
• Persons with the following conditions:
  • Chronic diseases of the lung (including asthma), heart (except hypertension), kidney, liver, blood (including sickle cell disease), brain or nervous system, muscles (particularly those that cause difficulty with swallowing), or metabolism (including diabetes mellitus);
    
  • Immunosuppression (weakened immune system) including that caused by medications or by HIV;
  • Persons younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy, because of an increased risk for Reye syndrome.

When should I see a medical provider right away?

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, go to an emergency room or urgent care center.

For children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color (call 911 immediately)
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

For 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
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

For the most up-to-date information on the H1N1 flu, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.

For local news and information, visit the Seattle and King County Public Health website at www.kingcounty.gov/health/swineflu or the Washington State Department of Health website at www.http://www.doh.wa.gov/h1n1/. Download the "Planning Guide for the Flu" from the Public Health's website here.

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