H1N1

What you should do if you think you have H1N1.

First, calm the fuck down.

After that, calm the fuck further down.

H1N1 is the flu. The flu is unpleasant. Most healthy people will not die from H1N1, but you wont hear about those people on the news. You'll hear about the ones that die.

Here is a flu survival plan:

1) Get vaccinated. If you didn't get the seasonal flu vaccine you're already failing yourself. If you haven't gotten the H1N1 vaccine, go stand in line and get it. Had H1N1 hit a little earlier, it might have made it into the seasonal flu vaccine. Don't be any more afraid of this vaccine than the regular flu vaccine

2) If you do get the flu or have flu like symptoms (FEVER, chills, cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, body aches) remain calm. If you have no medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, cancer, kidney problems, liver problems, pregnant, etc (Hypertension DOES NOT count) then you have nothing to worry about. If you do have any chronic health problems, if you're under the age of 2 (shame on your parents for letting you read my blog) or over the age of 65 you should go see you're doctor, the sooner the better. Otherwise, move on to step 3.

3) buy the following medications: Naproxen or ibuprofen, acetaminophen, claritin D (loratidine/psuedoephedrine), and mucinex. Take them as directed. Stay in your house, don't go to work, don't go play with young children or pregnant women. THE MAJORITY of the people that get the flu will not need specialized medical care.

4) DISCLAIMER. If at any time you suffer from severe shortness of breath, altered mental status, seizure, prolonged headache and neck stiffness, become unable to eat or drink due to nausea or vomiting or have any other concerns that you feel are urgent, you should see a doctor. Do not use this blog as your only guide for seeking medical attention. Please see http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm for more information on when you should seek medical care.