The moment the world got wind of the rampancy of H1N1 or swine flu, a cold chill ran through the spine of almost everyone. Folks from countries that the flu hit were wondering when it was going to affect their family members. For those who got the news but were of a different country, they kept holding their breath asking themselves when the flu was going to hit their nation. The same guys kept wondering if their government and the health sector had the resources to combat the H1N1. Well, that is swine flu for you; many people have been infected and consequently quarantined.

However, even with the high pitched buzz that the flu generated, constant information that was often passed across was that the flu was not exactly fatal if preliminary measures were taken in good time. Therefore, what measures should you as an individual take to combat the H1N1 virus? In fact, swine flu, despite the negative scary information streaming in, is treated more the same like common or seasonal flu. The only scare about the flu was the medical news that H1N1 was to mutate into a powerful and resistant flu, but that is yet to be seen. Therefore once you suspect that you have symptoms like sore throat, fever, cough, fatigue, chills and headaches among other body aches, it would be important that you first call your doctor for a thorough examination.

The doctor will begin by eliminating the normal flu from the H1N1. Now that the influenza has been put on high alert, doctors are concentrative and aware that they need to check it out first when a patient comes with the symptoms, and you therefore need not to worry. Since you wouldn’t want to spread your flu to other people, it would be important that you stay safely at home and recuperate in peace and in a relaxed mood. In fact if you were to relax and avoid your normal activities, you will recover even faster. 24 hours is the recommended duration that a H1N1 patient is asked to stay home well after the fever has dissipated on its own without medications to reduce the fever.

Dehydration is a common phenomenon with folks affected by H1N1 and therefore an intake of a lot of fluids is a recommended step. Water is the best fluid to take in as often as you can to keep your body well stocked with water which is in itself; a main component of healthy life. Avoid sugary drinks in as much as you may still have to use it to remain hydrated. But, ensure that you get rid of caffeinated drinks like coffee, energy drinks and soda because the drinks make folks urinate more than is acceptable. This may work in cross-purposes with your need to stay hydrated. Sleeping well is yet another good measure that you need to take to recuperate from H1N1.

Ensure that you get a prescribed drug from the physician especially when you want to treat aches and fevers. This is important because over the counter aspirin induces an illness by the name of Reye Syndrome especially in teenagers in their bid to help them get rid of the headaches.