When to seek medical advice - Protecting and caring for yourself and others

Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu
When to seek medical advice

Seek medical advice from Healthline 0800 611 116 or your healthcare provider BY PHONE if you, or the person you are caring for:

starts to feel better, then gets worse
has a temperature of 38°C or greater
has chills or severe shaking
has difficulty breathing or chest pain
has purple or blue discolouration of the lips
is less responsive than normal, is unusually quiet, or becomes confused
is vomiting and unable to keep liquids down
has signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, not urinating, and in infants, a lack of tears when they cry
has seizures or convulsions.

For pregnant women:

Pregnant women with influenza symptoms should call their GP or Healthline for advice and remember:

Both seasonal influenza and swine flu may make other medical problems worse.
Don’t take any antiviral medication without consulting your doctor.
Treat any fever right away with paracetamol.
Drink plenty of fluids.

The doctor will decide if antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu or Relenza are needed. These medicines work best when started soon after symptoms begin (within two days), but they may also be given to very sick or high risk people (including pregnant women) even after 48 hours. While there is limited information about the effect of antiviral drugs in pregnant women or their babies, no serious side effects have been reported.

See also:

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Page last updated: 30 July 2009