When should someone seek medical advice?
Pandemic influenza is mild in most cases but some people have developed severe infections. If you or someone you are caring for has flu-like symptoms and experiences any of the following symptoms, you should immediately seek medical advice:
- Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or chest pain.
- Confusion or disorientation.
- Unable to keep liquids down because of vomiting.
- Dehydration (very thirsty, dizzy when standing, or passing much less urine than normal).
- Rapid deterioration – suddenly feeling much worse.
People with
existing chronic medical conditions such as, respiratory disease, diabetes, obesity, weakened immune systems (including cancer; HIV/AIDS; or transplant patients) or pregnant women, should consult their healthcare provider immediately if they develop severe flu-like symptoms.
For parents with a
young child who is ill, you should not hesitate to seek immediate medical help if your child has any of the symptoms above or:
- If you are worried that the child is much sicker than usual.
- If the child seems to be getting worse or becomes drowsy.
- If the child has fast or laboured breathing.
- If the child’s fever does not seem to be getting better.
Pandemic influenza can be treated with influenza antiviral medication called oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza). Antiviral medications do not cure the infection but tend to make it milder and make you feel better faster, and may prevent severe complications. They should be taken as soon as possible, ideally within 48 hours of symptoms starting.
During the current pandemic, the priority use for influenza antiviral medication is to treat people with severe influenza illness and those who are at higher risk of severe complications.
Where to get help or advice
If you are unwell contact your healthcare provider or hospital by phone rather than in person to help reduce the spread of infection. You can also call the Commonwealth Health Hotline on 180 2007.
More detail on www.healthemergency.gov.au:
