Antiviral medications—not over-the-counter (OTC) medicines—may be used to treat the H1N1 flu and require a prescription. These medications work best when given within two days of becoming ill. You and your healthcare professional can decide when and if these medicines are needed.

• Wash your hands often.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about the H1N1 vaccine and the vaccine for the seasonal flu.
• Sneeze and cough into a tissue or your elbow rather than covering your face with your hands to try to keep from spreading the flu or a cold.
• Do not go to work or allow your child to go to school if sick with the flu.

• When selecting an OTC medicine to treat your symptoms, understand that OTC active ingredients treat specific symptoms, such as fever, runny nose, or cough. Select and use products that treat only the symptoms you have.
• Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids.
• Many cold and flu products have more than one active ingredient and, as a result, can treat more than one symptom. Be especially mindful of active ingredients when taking these multi-symptom or combination products to be sure you do not take more than one medicine with any of the same active ingredients.
• Do not give oral cough and cold medicines to children under age 4.
• Aspirin-containing products should not be given to children or teenagers for cold or flu symptoms because of a rare illness called Reye syndrome, unless under the direction of a doctor.
• If you are sick with a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicines. Should the fever continue, contact your doctor.
• If you have a fever with flu-like symptoms that does not go away in 24 hours, you should see a doctor.
• If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant and develop flu symptoms, contact your doctor immediately to avoid the risk of complications.
• If your child is less than five years-old or has certain medical conditions—such as asthma, diabetes, or neurologic problems—and seems to have flu-like symptoms, contact a doctor.
• As always, contact your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns.

• CDC H1N1 Information
• Flu.gov: Know What to Do About the Flu
• Flu Shot Locator (from Flu.gov)
• WebMD H1N1 Flu Guide