Recognize The Symptoms
I have not called my Rheumatologist yet, to find out if the have the Swine Flu vaccine yet. I read so many different articles and have heard pros and cons about this vaccine. It has created confusion and doubt whether to even get it or not.
In the meantime, more people have fallen victim to this flu and the only way to stop spreading an epidemic is to spread the awareness. In order to do that you need to be able to distinguish whether you have a common cold or the H1N1 flu, but how do you recognize the difference between a cold and the H1N1 flu symptoms? Here are some pointers:
Fever
Cold: Fever is rare with a cold.
H1N1 Flu: Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
Coughing
Cold: A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
H1N1 Flu: A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches
Cold: Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
H1N1 Flu: Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
Stuffy Nose
Cold: Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
H1N1 Flu: Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
Chills
Cold: Chills are uncommon with a cold.
H1N1 Flu: 60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
Tiredness
Cold: Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
H1N1 Flu: Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
Sneezing
Cold: is commonly present with a cold.
H1N1 Flu: Sneezing is not common with the flu.
Sudden Symptoms
Cold: Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
H1N1 Flu: The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache
Cold: A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
H1N1 Flu: A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat
Cold: Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.
H1N1 Flu: Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.
Chest Discomfort
Cold: Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
H1N1 Flu: Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.
When in doubt: don't wait and see a doctor. Safety first!
I will call today and find out if they have the vaccine and whether to get it or not. If what I read and heard is true, then the risks may outweigh the costs, no matter which way it goes.
I will take their advice though. They know better then I do and from experience I have learned that they only have my best interest in mind.
When people have shown on numerous occassions that they can be trusted to do what is needed and what is best, it is much easier to accept and go by their decisions. Yes, it still leaves open the opportunity for error; they are human and therefore not perfect.
God on the other hand is perfect. We can trust His decisions, for He does not err. He works His plan for us and even without any understanding we know that He has only our best interest in mind.
Psalm 9:10
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
In the meantime, more people have fallen victim to this flu and the only way to stop spreading an epidemic is to spread the awareness. In order to do that you need to be able to distinguish whether you have a common cold or the H1N1 flu, but how do you recognize the difference between a cold and the H1N1 flu symptoms? Here are some pointers:
Fever
Cold: Fever is rare with a cold.
H1N1 Flu: Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
Coughing
Cold: A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
H1N1 Flu: A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches
Cold: Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
H1N1 Flu: Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
Stuffy Nose
Cold: Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
H1N1 Flu: Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
Chills
Cold: Chills are uncommon with a cold.
H1N1 Flu: 60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
Tiredness
Cold: Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
H1N1 Flu: Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
Sneezing
Cold: is commonly present with a cold.
H1N1 Flu: Sneezing is not common with the flu.
Sudden Symptoms
Cold: Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
H1N1 Flu: The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache
Cold: A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
H1N1 Flu: A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat
Cold: Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.
H1N1 Flu: Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.
Chest Discomfort
Cold: Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
H1N1 Flu: Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.
When in doubt: don't wait and see a doctor. Safety first!
I will call today and find out if they have the vaccine and whether to get it or not. If what I read and heard is true, then the risks may outweigh the costs, no matter which way it goes.
I will take their advice though. They know better then I do and from experience I have learned that they only have my best interest in mind.
When people have shown on numerous occassions that they can be trusted to do what is needed and what is best, it is much easier to accept and go by their decisions. Yes, it still leaves open the opportunity for error; they are human and therefore not perfect.
God on the other hand is perfect. We can trust His decisions, for He does not err. He works His plan for us and even without any understanding we know that He has only our best interest in mind.
Psalm 9:10
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
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