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When swine flu hits you, what to do? What if you’re among the unfortunate few who have come down with the nasty bug?

When swine flu hits you, what to do? What if you’re among the unfortunate few who have come down with the nasty bug? Health experts are reminding patients to seek medical attention at the first sign of flu. They also warn consumers taking over-the-counter medications and be aware of any potential side effects or drug interactions.

IS IT THE FLU?
“Even though symptoms for a cold and flu overlap, what is more suggestive of flu is the severity of symptoms,” said Dr. Steven Joyal, vice president of science and medical affairs for Life Extension, a nonprofit research group based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. A cold is usually limited to runny nose, sinus aches or headaches. With the flu, sufferers are also likely to experience body aches, a sore throat, and possibly diarrhea and vomiting.

HIGH-RISK? SEE DOCTOR
Health experts recommend that those at high risk for flu complications see a doctor at the first sign of symptoms. This ‘priority group’ as
identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention includes caregivers of infants younger than 6months, health-care and emergency medical workers, those 6 months to 24 years of age, and people 25 to 64 with medical conditions that put them at high risk for flu-related health problems.

MEDICATION: TIMING IS the KEY
When it comes to treating the flu with anti-viral medications, timing is everything. “Anti-virals work best when taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. If you’re healthy, it’s reasonable to wait that first 24 hours. After that, if you have still have a fever, you should probably see a doctor,” Joyal said.

Sufferers will likely be prescribed anti-viral medication like Tamiflu and Relenza, the latter available in inhalers and not recommended for those with respiratory problems.

OVER-THE-COUNTER SUGGESTIONS
For those who have missed the anti-viral medications' window of opportunity and are suffering from a full-blown case of the flu, a number of over-the-counter medications help relieve symptoms. For fever, acetaminophen, the main ingredient in Tylenol, helps bring down the body’s temperature and relieves aches associated with the flu. Decongestants can help stuffy noses and sinus pain.

Dextromethorphan is a common active ingredient in many over-the-counter cough medicines and can cause dizziness if overused, especially among the elderly. And although Tylenol is a common cold and flu remedy, it be dangerous for those with liver disease or people who overindulge with alcohol, Joyal said.