Typically, it starts with sudden onset of fever, sore throat, cough and muscle aches, but you may have some or all of these symptoms:

• Fever and chills;
• Body aches, especially in the back and legs;
• Headache;
• Dry cough
• Weak and tired;
• Sore throat;
• Runny or stuffy nose;
• Loss of appetite

(See more information below.)

• Stay home and rest - this is one of the best things you can do to fight the flu and avoid spreading it to others.
• Drink plenty of liquids - this will help to replace the fluid lost from fever and sweating.
• Take medication for your symptoms - your pharmacist can help you choose the right over-the-counter medicine. (Make sure you mention if you have a chronic illness or are taking other medication.)
• Gargle - to help a sore throat, gargle with a glass of warm water mixed with a half-teaspoon of salt. Throat lozenges are also effective.
• Wash your hands often - this will help you avoid spreading the virus to others.
• Ask for help - you may need to ask for help until you are feeling better.
• If you have a chronic health problem, or are taking medication, get advice from a pharmacist or your physician.
  

It is time to see a doctor if you experience the following:

• You become short of breath or have difficulty breathing;
• You have chest pain or pressure;
• You are coughing up dark coloured or bloody sputum;
• You are wheezing;
• You do not start feeling better in a few days or have had a fever for three or more days that is not going down;
• You have started to feel better and suddenly feel much worse;
• You are confused or extremely drowsy and find it difficult to wake up;
• You have extreme pain in your ear

If you have any chronic health conditions such as heart or lung disease or are being treated with medicine that affects your immune system, you are at increased risk of complications of influenza.

Hand washing is an easy and effective way to reduce the spread of illness.

1. Wet hands
2. Soap hands for 20 seconds
3. Rinse
4. Turn off taps with a towel
   

• Let the child stay home for up to 7 days to rest and prevent the virus from spreading to others.
• Offer cool liquids often.
• Monitor your child's temperature and give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g. Advil) as recommended on the package.
• Use salt water nose drops or spray to treat a stuffy nose.
• Throw away tissues after wiping your child's nose and wash your hands right away.
• Wash your hands often and teach your child to wash hands often.

WARNING: Do not give Aspirin or ASA (acetylsalicylic acid) to children or teenagers.

• Has heart or lung disease or other chronic illness which requires regular medical care;
• Has trouble breathing;
• Is less than 6 months old and has a fever higher than 38.5 degrees
  

Take your child to hospital emergency or call 911 if your child: 

• Has severe trouble breathing not caused by a stuffy nose;
• Has any trouble breathing along with blue lips or skin;
• Is limp or unable to move;
• Is hard to wake up or is too quiet and not responding;
• Has a stiff neck;
• Seems confused;
• Has a seizure (convulsion/fit)
• Is over 6 months old and has a fever of 39 degrees (temperature taken under the armpit) or 40 degrees (by mouth);
• Drinks so little that they are not peeing every 6 hours when awake;
• Has not had a wet diaper in 12 hours;
• Symptoms improve then suddenly get worse.
  

The flu can spread quickly from person to person by:

• A simple cough or sneeze;
• Contact with something recently contaminated by fluids from an infected person (like shaking hands with someone who has sneezed).
  

These tips can help to reduce the possibility of coming down with the flu and avoid passing the virus to others if you are infected.

• Get your yearly flu shot - it is the best way to protect yourself from getting the flu each year. Ask your doctor if you should have a flu shot (pneumococcal vaccination).
• Good cough manners - use tissues when coughing or sneezing and throw all used tissues in the garbage.
• Wash your hands often,  especially:
• After coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose;
• After being in contact with someone who has the flu;
• Before preparing or eating meals;
• After using the toilet;
• After coming home from the office, school, mall or any public place
• Do not visit people who have the flu if you can avoid it.
• Stay home if you are sick with the flu.
• Clean bathroom and kitchen counters and taps more frequently.
• If you rub your eyes or touch your nose and mouth - wash your hands.
• Do not share forks, spoons and knives.