How to Tell if it's Swine Flu or the Common Cold

Use Free Online H1N1 Flu Quiz to See if Emergency Care is Necessary

Oct 25, 2009

Online swine flu quiz provided by Microsoft asks about symptoms to determine if an illness is H1N1. This website also advises whether or not a trip to the E.R. is needed.

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.

Swine flu virus symptoms mimic simple colds, but are more dangerous. Prevent serious illness by avoiding contagious infection from those with H1N1 swine flu symptoms

Pregnant women getting the H1N1 vaccine weigh benefits and risks of the swine flu shot. Accepting or avoiding the swine flu vaccine will affect both mother and baby.

Infants and toddlers are vulnerable to swine flu infection, but may not be eligible for H1N1 vaccination. The CDC advises of swine flu shot safety and risks for babies.

The copyright of the article How to Tell if it's Swine Flu or the Common Cold in Public Healthcare Issues is owned by Victoria Nicks. Permission to republish How to Tell if it's Swine Flu or the Common Cold in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.