# What are the symptoms of N1H1 (aka Swine) flu? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 19, 2009, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-symptoms-of-n1h1-aka-swine-flu/503513 "2009-07-19T06:54:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2009, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-symptoms-of-n1h1-aka-swine-flu/503513/1 "2009-07-19T06:54:43Z")
I just read [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=522692). Unfortunately, I share some of those symptoms. Fortunately, I haven’t died (yet). As far as I can recall, I have only once in my life had any kind of flu (at least I assume that’s what it was). At that time, I ached all over and couldn’t get warm despite being under a comforter, an electric blanket, and inside a 40 degree F rated sleeping bag, and it lasted for about a week. I was totally miserable. What I have had lately is some congestion in my head and lungs, a persistent headache, some digestive issues, and a general feeling that I’m not quite well. So what’s the Dope? ---
**Author:** ![Manwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Manwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manwich)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-symptoms-of-n1h1-aka-swine-flu/503513/2 "2009-07-20T06:54:34Z")
I had H1N1 a few weeks ago and my symptoms were quite mild. The first day I had a mild cough. The next day at work I was tired, a bit achy and probably had a slight fever. The next day I was more tired and achy and felt mentally dull. From the next day on, I started feeling better. By the time I got my test results a few days later and found out I had H1N1 I was almost fully recovered, if a little bit more tired than usual. Obviously, other people had it much worse, especially the ones who died. There is information about the symptoms here: [http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm](http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm) (I am not saying its a good site, I just googled it.) Good luck and hope you feel better. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-symptoms-of-n1h1-aka-swine-flu/503513/3 "2009-07-20T17:19:38Z")
> [@Manwich](#): > > Obviously, other people had it much worse, especially the ones who died. Sorry for laughing, but to me this wins the “no shit” award of the millenium.. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Manwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Manwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manwich)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-symptoms-of-n1h1-aka-swine-flu/503513/4 "2009-07-21T03:38:06Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > Sorry for laughing, but to me this wins the “no shit” award of the millenium.. 🙂 Don’t be sorry for laughing. There is nothing wrong with laughter, except say, if someone tells you one of children has just been killed. Wait, was that obvious too? ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-symptoms-of-n1h1-aka-swine-flu/503513/5 "2009-07-21T07:06:01Z")
Just before the swine flu outbreak was identified, I came down with sudden flu-like symptoms that were unusual. It all started deep in my lungs. I had a high fever and achiness. I’m thinking that’s what I had, and I’d love to get an antibody test to see if there is evidence of it. Where can I get a test for past infection with H1N1? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-symptoms-of-n1h1-aka-swine-flu/503513/6 "2009-07-21T07:17:45Z")
[Here’s](http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/Sat/MiniSAT/Topics/ColdsAndFlu/ColdsAndFlu.aspx) the British National Health Service’s self-diagnosis questionnaire. The father of a girl I work with has it, and in addition to the usual flu symptoms, has very bad diaorreah. If that’s a symptom, it’s a very good idea to get a good supply of rehydration salts - the advice on the packet is one sachet in the recommended amount of water, per bowel movement. Dehydration is no joke, can be life-threatening, and often bears no relation to how thirsty a sufferer feels. (IANAD but I’ve had a lot of tropical diseases and learned the hard way about hydration.) ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-symptoms-of-n1h1-aka-swine-flu/503513/7 "2009-07-21T14:41:03Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > [Here’s](http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/Sat/MiniSAT/Topics/ColdsAndFlu/ColdsAndFlu.aspx) the British National Health Service’s self-diagnosis questionnaire. > > The father of a girl I work with has it, and in addition to the usual flu symptoms, has very bad diaorreah. > > If that’s a symptom, it’s a very good idea to get a good supply of rehydration salts - the advice on the packet is one sachet in the recommended amount of water, per bowel movement. Dehydration is no joke, can be life-threatening, and often bears no relation to how thirsty a sufferer feels. > > (IANAD but I’ve had a lot of tropical diseases and learned the hard way about hydration.) Dunno about this strain, but for usual influenza, gastrointestinal symptoms can be a problem, mostly in kids/teens. ---
**Author:** ![Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-symptoms-of-n1h1-aka-swine-flu/503513/8 "2009-07-21T19:01:23Z")
> [@JillGat](#): > > Where can I get a test for past infection with H1N1? From what I understand they need to test within the first two days of infection to see if it’s H1N1. There might be some research-level test that could detect past infection, but what’s in general use needs to be done right away.