Symptoms of the H1N1 flu are similar to the seasonal flu. They include fever (100 F or 37.8 C or above) plus one or more of the following: cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, diarrhea, or vomiting. The flu also can cause pneumonia, which can make it hard to breathe. The H1N1 flu can last anywhere from 7 to 14 days.

Kids who develop any of these symptoms need immediate medical attention:

• fast breathing or trouble breathing
• bluish skin color
• not drinking enough fluids
• very sleepy or lethargic
• in babies, being so irritable they don’t want to be held
• fever with a rash
• flu-like symptoms thatimprove, then return with fever and a worse cough

If your child begins to have flu-like symptoms, do not send your child to school or childcare.This will help limit the spread of the virus. Keep your child home, and call the doctor to see whether an office visit is recommended. Only have your child leave the house for medical care.

Kids without chronic health conditions usually tolerate infection with the H1N1 virus fairly well and get better on their own without medical treatment. Others with severe symptoms of flu who need to be hospitalized or who are at risk for complications from the flu might be given antiviral medicines to ease symptoms, shorten the duration of the illness, and prevent complications.

At home, make sure your child:

• drinks lots of fluids to prevent dehydration
• gets plenty of sleep and takes it easy
• takes acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve fever and aches (but do not give aspirin due to the risk or Reye syndrome)
• wears layers, since the flu often makes kids cold one minute and hot the next
• does not return to school or childcare until fever (of 100 F or 37.8 C or above) is reduced for at least 24 hours without the use offever-reducing medicines

Call your doctor if your child seems to get better but then feels worse, develops a high fever, has any trouble breathing, or seems confused.

If your child has a chronic condition, like asthma, make sure to check with your doctor to help ensure the condition is under control. Likewise, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding and come down with flu symptoms or have been exposed to someone who has the flu, contact your doctor right away. You may need to take antiviral medications as a precaution for yourself and your baby.