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Home Care
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Home care for swine flu or H1N1 influenza includes: - Ask your doctor if you are a candidate for an antiviral medication such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza)
- These medications usually need to be started within the first 48 hours of the onset of your flu symptoms in order to be effective.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Stop smoking.
- Avoid exposure to secondary smoke.
- Drink plenty of liquids.
- Soothe the throat with apple juice, warm soup or hard candy.
- Take prescription medicine as directed.
- Blow your nose gently.
- Use saline nose drops to clear the nose.
- Apply petroleum jelly to dry skin around the nostrils.
- Take nonprescription medication for sore throat:
- Gargle with warm salt water
- Perform deep breathing exercises.
- Some people may benefit from medicines for cough or congestion:
- Decongestant medications:
- Dextromethorphan for cough
- Place a vaporizer or nebulizer in the bedroom at night.
- Those who are less than 19 years of age should avoid aspirin as this may increase the risk for Reye's syndrome.
- Acetaminophen for pain or fever control
 - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain or fever control
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