By now, most people know the symptoms of swine flu: fever of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, exhaustion, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, vomiting and/or diarrhea. When people feel so sick, they may be tempted to seek medical help; but in most cases a visit to the doctor is not necessary.

There are things you can do, however, to ease the aches and pains and other miserable symptoms. First, get plenty of rest. Because H1N1 is contagious, you’ll need to take a few days off work to avoid infecting your co-workers. Spend the time getting all the sleep you possibly can. If you can’t sleep, try to lie quietly and listen to soothing music or watch television.

Next, drink plenty of fluids. This is especially important if vomiting and diarrhea have left you dehydrated. Water, herbal teas, and warm and cold juices are always a good bet. Leave caffeinated drinks and alcohol alone until you are feeling better.

Taking a warm bath or shower can help you feel refreshed and ease muscle aches.

You may also use over the counter medications to lower your fever, ease your aches and pains, and soothe your cough.

In most cases, your symptoms will resolve by themselves and you’ll be back to your regular routine in no time. There are a few cases, though, when seeking the help of a doctor is warranted. It’s definitely wise to see your doctor if you suffer from chronic health problems or from deficiencies in your immune system. A visit to the doctor is also warranted if you have trouble breathing, if your flu symptoms get worse instead of better, or if you have repeated episodes of vomiting that leave you dehydrated.