Swine Flu (H1N1) Vaccine Slideshow Pictures Swine Flu (H1N1) FAQ Slideshow Pictures Strep or Sore Throat Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Mary Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP

Mary Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP

Mary D. Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP is the Chair of the Department of Medicine at Michigan State University. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt Medical School, and completed her residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Indiana University.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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When to Seek Medical Care

People with fever and mild respiratory symptoms should call their physician for guidance. If you live in an area that is not currently reporting any cases of swine influenza, your physician may direct you to come into the clinic to be evaluated. If you live in an area where swine influenza is circulating already, your physician may decide to treat you over the phone. The CDC recommends this approach to minimize the number of sick people who go out into the community or into a clinic once cases have been confirmed.

People who are seriously ill should seek medical attention immediately through an emergency room or other setting. This includes people with shortness of breath, confusion, dizziness, or alterations in consciousness. Small children may not be able to describe their symptoms, and parents should look for signs of rapid breathing, bluish skin, or reduced level of responsiveness, which should prompt immediate medical attention.