Both “seasonal” flu, which is what you take a flu shot for, and the novel H1N1 (or swine) flu, are hard to tell apart early in any patient’s illness.

That is why it makes so much sense to put all flu news from the federal government in one place.

And so they have.

For example, you are going to see the new flu called all of the following:

- Pandemic flu

- Swine flu

- H1N1

- Novel H1N1

All the same. The names have been used as this strain has been better understood.

Personally, we like this simple distinction: seasonal and pandemic flu. However, you need to know all of the ways in which pandemic flu can be identified until and unless everyone agrees to use the same term.

Adding to the confusion, some patients have gastrointestinal upsets, also found with e.coli-linked food poisoning. This, too, has been a problem over the last year-plus.

This is a great new resource for you—-one website from HHS, combining all the information you need to know about the seasonal flu, avian and pandemic (also known as novel H1N1 or swine flu).

Because information from different sources can be unclear or, worse, too easy to misunderstand, a single site for all citizens is a sound, practical solution.

It includes CDC information, which this report has offered you, as well as much more.

You will find it user-friendly. Check it out. Bookmark it.

As of July 10, 2009, the CDC has confirmed 37,246 cases and 211 deaths.

Although there is much more at flu.gov than this, we need to keep reminding ourselves what the symptoms are.

Flu.gov

“The symptoms of H1N1 (swine) flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 (swine) flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with H1N1 (swine) flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 (swine) flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Source: Department of Health and Human Services, July 10, 2009 at flu.gov