Do new symptoms develop as the swine flu progresses?

Answer 1

Usually the symptoms develop quickly and most continue until the flu has run its course. The typical symptoms are coughing, headaches, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, sneezing, runny nose, fever (over or at 101F or about 41C).

If you develop a secondary infection such as bronchitis, or pneumonia caused either by a virus or bacteria, you can develop an increase in the severity of the symptoms or new symptoms such as trouble breathing, chest pains, a change in the amount or color of sputum or phlegm, an increase in fever, or escalation of cough. Other symptoms that indicate there may be a complication developing in adults are dizziness, confusion or shortness of breath.

Symptoms that might develop and indicate there is a need for urgent medical attention are:

In children

• fast breathing or trouble breathing;
  
• blueish or gray skin color;
  
• not drinking enough fluids;
  
• severe, persistent vomiting;
  
• not waking up or not interacting;
  
• being so irritable that the child doesn't want to be held;
  
• and flu-like symptoms improve, but then return later with a fever and a worse cough.

In adults

• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath;
  
• pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen;
  
• sudden dizziness, confusion, persistent or severe vomiting that doesn't go away;
• and flu-like symptoms that improve, but then come back again with a fever or worsening of cough.