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H1N1 Flu Information for Adults

How does H1N1 affect adults?

H1N1 flu feels very much like the regular seasonal flu. Most people in Ontario who develop the flu will be sick for a few days with fever and cough and then get better. If you develop flu symptoms – sudden fever or chills, cough or shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue (lack of energy), muscle or joint aches – there are several things you can do to help you feel better and keep the flu from spreading.

Use this Flu Assessment Tool to help you learn whether you have symptoms of the flu. It will also help you decide what to do next.

Should I get the vaccine?

Yes. It is recommended that everyone six months or older get vaccinated with the H1N1 vaccine. Stay healthy this winter by getting immunized, washing your hands frequently, coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your sleeve and keeping commonly touched surfaces disinfected.

Public health officials recommend that getting immunized is the best method for protecting everyone from the flu. Vaccines are one of history's most successful public health tools for preventing serious disease and death. Learn more about the vaccine.

When should I seek medical care?

Use the Flu Assessment Tool to see whether you need medical care. Call Telehealth Ontario or your health care provider if you have flu symptoms and have any of the following diseases or conditions that may increase your risk for complications :

  • A chronic disease that increases your risk of complications from the flu, such as heart disease, a liver condition, a lung condition, diabetes or asthma.
  • Diseases or treatments that affect the immune system such as HIV/AIDS, organ transplant or cancer.
  • Pregnant women or women up to 6 weeks after having delivered.
  • Children under 5 years of age (the risk is greater for children under 2 years old).
  • Children under 18 years of age on long-term acetylsalicylic acid therapy.
  • Very overweight.
  • Live in a rural/ isolated area far from a hospital.
  • Over the age of 65.
  • Live in a nursing home or a retirement home.

If you don’t have any of the risk factors listed above, you may be able to take care of yourself at home if you have the flu. However, if you do not start to feel better in a few days, you have more severe symptoms, or your symptoms get worse, call Telehealth Ontario or contact your health care provider.

When should I go to Emergency?

Go to the nearest hospital emergency department or call 911 RIGHT AWAY if you have any of the following symptoms :

  • Difficulty breathing / shortness of breath when doing very little or resting.
  • Continuous vomiting or severe diarrhoea with signs of dehydration such as dry tongue, dry mouth, decreased peeing (no urine for the past 6 to 8 hours), or very yellow/orange urine.
  • Stiff neck and eyes sensitive to light.
  • Seizures or convulsions.
  • Confusion or disorientation.

Do I have a fever?

If your temperature is 38°C (100.4°F) or higher, you have a fever.

Touching your forehead or neck is not a reliable way to check for fever. The best way to measure your temperature is with a digital thermometer (available at drug stores).

How do I treat my fever?

  • Dress in lightweight clothing and keep the room temperature around 20°C (68°F).
  • Drink lots of fluids, such as water, fruit juice (not fruit drinks), milk and herbal teas. If your urine (pee) is darker than usual, you need to drink more.
  • Avoid drinks with caffeine (e.g., coffee) as caffeine makes you lose fluids from your body.
  • Take basic pain or fever relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA or Aspirin®) unless your physician has instructed you not to.

Note : Do NOT give acetylsalicylic acid (ASA or Aspirin®), or any cold medicine that has ASA, to children or teenagers under the age of 18.

How do I treat my other flu symptoms?

Some suggestions to treat your other flu symptoms may include :

  • Get plenty of rest.
  • Take cough medicine – especially if you have a dry cough.
  • Take a warm bath with epsom salts.
  • Gargle with a glass of warm water or suck on sugarless hard candy or lozenges.
  • Use saline drops, spray or decongestants.
  • Use a hot water bottle or heating pad for short periods of time to reduce muscle pain.
  • Ask your pharmacist for advice if you buy over-the-counter medicine.

How can I protect others from flu?

If you have flu symptoms, you may be contagious for up to a week. People who are very ill may be contagious for up to 10 days. To protect others and reduce the spread of the flu :

  • Stay home from school or work and limit contact with others.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer,   especially after sneezing or coughing.
  • Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your upper sleeve, not your hand. Dispose of tissues immediately and wash your hands.
  • Keep commonly touched surfaces clean and disinfected.
  • Avoid sharing anything that may carry germs such as towels, lipsticks, cigarettes and drinks.
  • If you live alone, contact a friend or family member to help if you are too sick to buy groceries or go to the pharmacy.

When can I go back to work?

If you are not a health care worker, you can return to work when you no longer have a fever for 24 hours and are feeling well enough to return to your normal activities.

If you are a health care worker, you should wait until 24 hours after all symptoms (other than a mild cough) have resolved, typically a period of 5 to 8 days. However, health care workers who have been treated with oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) for 72 hours will not be as infectious and may return to work if they feel generally well except for a mild cough. Staff should consult with Occupational Health (if available) for a return to work assessment.


For More Information
For information about seasonal flu, H1N1 and pandemic preparedness

Call the ServiceOntario INFOline at 1-800-476-9708 (Toll-free in Ontario)
TTY 1-800-387-5559
TTY (Toronto) 416-327-4282
Hours of operation : 8:30am - 5:00pm

To speak with a registered nurse

Visit Telehealth Ontario or call 1-866-797-0000
TTY: 1-866-797-0007
Hours of operation : 24 hours, 7 days a week

To find health care options in your community

Visit ontario.ca/healthcareoptions or call 1-866-330-6206.

To find a health care provider

If you don’t have a health care provider, you can register for the Health Care Connect program. Visit ontario.ca/healthcareconnect or call 1-800-445-1822.

 

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