What should you know about swine influenza symptoms?

Symptoms often involve the whole body as well as the airways. Fever and chills may occur with marked tiredness, headache, dry or productive cough, sore throat, aches, and reduced appetite. The exact pattern varies, and symptoms can overlap with other respiratory infections.

A symptom is not a diagnosis. Influenza can sometimes progress to pneumonia, particularly when breathing symptoms become more severe or a person has medical vulnerabilities. A clinician considers the onset, exposure, examination findings, and sometimes a test rather than relying on one symptom.

Rest and take frequent drinks to reduce the chance of dehydration. Keep track of your temperature, breathing, alertness, and ability to eat or drink. Use fever or pain medicine only as directed and check with a pharmacist or clinician if you take regular medicines or have a long-term condition.

Limit close contact while symptomatic, cover coughs, dispose of tissues, and clean your hands. People at higher risk should seek advice early, since treatment decisions can depend on how long symptoms have been present and on personal health factors.

Seek urgent care for shortness of breath, chest pressure, confusion, unusual difficulty waking, severe dehydration, a seizure, or blue-grey lips. Medical review is needed if a cough or fever becomes worse after improvement, or if symptoms are difficult to control in a child, pregnant person, older adult, or person with reduced immunity.

Ask how the symptom pattern fits influenza, whether you need testing or antiviral treatment, how long to stay away from others, and how to recognise pneumonia or dehydration.