Once the seasonal flu killed up to 500 000 people worldwide each year and nobody cared. The swine influenza A H1N1 appears and suddenly the world tremble at the magnitude of the threat.

Two recurring issues: people are wondering if they have influenza A H1N1 and when they should consult.

The symptoms of influenza A H1N1 from swine.

The symptoms of swine flu are the same as those of seasonal influenza. Firstly we must not confuse flu symptoms with the common cold. The common cold is often manifested by an infection of the upper respiratory tract. Usually the intensity of cold symptoms is much lower. There is rarely a fever during a cold. The dominant picture is especially sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose and slight cough.

Influenza in turn begins abruptly. Symptoms of influenza are much more severe. It is rare that someone does not absent from work when suffering from flu. The two prominent symptoms are fever and cough, although the fever can sometimes be moderate in the elderly. Flu symptoms also associated with common cold: sore throat, nasal congesti0n, and headache. By cons other symptoms although not always present, are more specific to the flu: muscle pain or diffuse aches, extreme tiredness, nausea and vomiting or abdominal pain. Some symptoms of the flu lasts a lot longer than the common cold: eg fatigue can last up to 3 weeks.

It goes without saying that the flu virus often leads to more complications than colds.

What are the symptoms of complications of swine influenza A H1N1?

Sinusitis

Common symptoms of sinusitis include fever, headache (or headache), facial pain vis-à-vis the frontal sinus pain then or pain in the cheeks) and runny green nose. The person who has sinusitis as often cough, especially when lying down, so at night.

Pharyngitis

Pharyngeal infection, commonly called the throat. Streptococcal pharyngitis is one that will cause the most symptoms. The person complains of sore throat, quite intense, fever, pain on swallowing (swallowing).

On examination the throat will be red, often with the presence of white exudates and cervical lymph nodes.

Otitis

It is an infection of the middle ear which will be symptoms: pain in the ear, hearing loss (caused by the presence of fluid in the middle ear) and often fever. If the eardrum was punctured, which is not uncommon in children, the person may have a discharge from the ear.

Bronchitis and pneumonia

Respectively infections of the bronchi and lungs may be manifested by cough, fever, difficulty breathing and chest pain. More common among smokers or those who already have other lung problems like asthma or emphysema. Pneumonia is fatal complications the most common.

The syndrome of acute respiratory distress (ARDS)

The flu can also cause overstimulation of the immune system resulting in acute respiratory distress. These people have more and more difficult to breathe but do not have bacterial pneumonia. They must be mechanically ventilated. This fatal complication of influenza is more common in young people, often otherwise healthy.

When to call if you have symptoms of flu?

Fortunately, the flu, although the influenza A H1N1, rarely causes complications. We must see if you have symptoms of complications or if you are a vulnerable person.

Who are the people most vulnerable to complications of influenza A H1N1?

If you’re one of the following groups you are a person more vulnerable to complications from influenza:

Adults and children with certain chronic conditions serious enough for a regular medical or hospital care are justified. These people may have the following conditions:

• Cardiac or pulmonary disorders (including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis and asthma)
• Diabetes mellitus
• Cancer, immunodeficiency, immunosuppression (due to underlying disease or treatment)
• Kidney disease
• Anemia or hemoglobinopathy
• Conditions that compromise the respiratory secretions and are associated with an increased risk of aspiration
• Conditions requiring the taking of aspirin for long periods in children and adolescents

The following groups are also among those at risk of flu complications and should consult at the onset of symptoms:

• Persons living in nursing homes and other centers of long-term care, whatever their age,
• Persons aged 65 and over
• Pregnant women (especially in the last 2 quarters and 4 weeks after delivery)
• Healthy children younger than 23 months

Do not forget that the antiviral therapy (Tamiflu) should be administered as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms, ideally within 6 hours after and effectiveness are greatly reduced 48 hours after symptom onset.

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