Hospital emergency rooms in cities are routinely full of sick persons; but these days they are overwhelmed.  Nightly news reports indicate that they are overrun, and many times the wait for persons to be seen is several hours.  People who are experiencing flu-like symptoms should first contact their physician if possible before going to an emergency room.  Sitting in a room full of sick people would seem to be more of a risk of exposure.

The first doses of H1N1 vaccine should be arriving soon; however, there are certain groups that will be first to receive it: children ages 2 to 3, pregnant women, healthcare providers, and persons with underlying health problems.  The H1N1 flu is mild for most individuals.  However, as advised by the Centers for Disease Control, watch for these signs that urgent medical attention is needed:

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

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing

• Bluish or gray skin color

• 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

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

• Severe or persistent vomiting

• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

By this time, hopefully, you have taken the regular seasonal flu shot.  It won’t prevent the H1N1 virus, but experts recommend that you take it before the H1N1 vaccine is distributed.

Source: Centers for Disease Control