Due to the potential severity of the swine flu, also known as Novel A (H1N1) Influenza, many people with cold or flu symptoms are concerned that their health is in danger. In an effort to prevent emergency rooms and doctor's offices from becoming overrun with patients who are not severely ill, Microsoft has teamed up with Emory University to provide a self-screening program. This online swine flu quiz evaluates symptoms and can help individuals make decisions about the severity of swine flu, seasonal flu, or common cold symptoms.
Self-Screening for Swine Flu
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have provided a comprehensive list of symptoms that can occur with an H1N1 flu infection. Included in this list are many symptoms that are also evidence of the common cold, such as fever, chills, headache, body aches, sinus congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and cough. Any combination of these symptoms can mean a case of the swine flu, however, which can make it difficult for people to identify if they need to go to the doctor or not.
H1N1 in the Emergency Room
While a trip to the emergency room to determine whether or not symptoms are due to swine flu will provide a definite answer, there are risks involved. First, individuals who do not have the swine flu may catch the H1N1 virus, or the seasonal flu virus, from someone in the waiting room who is infected. Secondly, with increasing numbers of severe swine flu infections, emergency rooms are overloaded. Additional patients who are not genuinely ill will add to the overcrowding.
Treating Swine Flu at Home
Just as a person who does not have a serious case of the swine flu should stay home, some individuals should seek emergency care. It can be difficult to know when a case of the swine flu or seasonal flu has become an emergency. The CDC's list of symptoms also includes information about acute symptoms that can indicate the need for medical care. Shortness of breath, confusion, dizziness, and persistent vomiting are among these symptoms.
Severe Swine Flu Infection vs. Mild Condition
In order to tell the difference between a severe case of influenza that needs emergency care, and a mild cold that simply requires bedrest, patients should speak to a nurse or doctor. If there is no professional medical care available, it is possible to self-evaluate through the use of this Online Swine Flu Quiz.
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Reference:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Victoria Nicks - Victoria Nicks has a Master's Degree in IT, and extensive hands-on experience with various types of hardware and software.
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