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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Swine flu symptoms in humans are similar to those of infection with other flu strains:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Body aches
  • Headache
  • Chills
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting

Swine flu symptoms develop three to five days after you're exposed to the virus and continue for about eight days, starting one day before you get sick and continuing until you've recovered.

When to see a doctor
It's not necessary to call a doctor if you're generally healthy and you develop swine flu symptoms, such as fever, cough and body aches. Do call your doctor, however, if you have flu symptoms and you're pregnant or you have a chronic disease, such as emphysema or a heart condition.

References
  1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Swine influenza in pigs and people. Accessed April 28, 2009. http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/pdf/brochure.pdf
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Swine flu questions and answers. Swine flu and you. Accessed April 27, 2009. http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Investigation and Interim Recommendations: Swine influenza (H1N1). Accessed April 27, 2009. http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/pdf/HAN_042509.pdf
  4. World Health Organization. Swine flu illness in the United States and Mexico —Update Accessed April 27, 2009. http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_04_26/en/print.html
  5. CDC. Swine flu—general info. Accessed April 27, 2009. http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu
  6. CDC. Interim guidance on antiviral recommendations for patients with confirmed or suspected swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection and close contacts. Accessed April 27, 2009. http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/recommendations.htm
  7. World now at the start of 2009 influenza pandemic. Statement to the press by WHO Director-General Margaret Chan. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2009/h1n1_pandemic_phase6_20090611/en/index.html. Accessed June 11, 2009.

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Sept. 30, 2009

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