June 04, 2010 02:16am EST 

The H1N1 Flu pandemic has created panic across the entire world — and in hospital emergency rooms across the nation. Many hospitals have already started H1N1 readiness and awareness initiatives, aimed at informing the general public and H1N1, its symptoms, and tips for how to deal with the swine flu.
For the few who have already been vaccinated from the H1N1 disease, the following information will likely not be necessary. Vaccination is the best protection against contracting the flu, and it is highly recommended that all who have access to the vaccination, either through a clinic or hospital, should get vaccinated.
For the nearly 1 in 6 Americans that have been infected by the virus, however, it is important to stay informed about the H1N1 and its potential deadliness. Specifically, this article is written to help you better understand when you should consider visiting a hospital emergency room.
Since the emergency room is reserved for injuries of serious nature, deciding whether your flu-like symptoms warrant the use of the local hospital emergency room can save unnecessary hospital bills and valuable time. As the emergency room is often very busy and expensive, consider visiting a clinic, or your family physician before choosing to go to the emergency room.
However, if you are suffering from the follow symptoms, you should immediately visit a hospital emergency room as soon as possible. If you:
* feel feverish, have a cough or sore throat
* have difficulty breathing or chest pain
* breathe over 24 breaths per minute
* have purple or blue discoloration of the lips
* are vomiting and are unable to keep your liquids down
* are confused or experience a change in either behavior or alertness
* show signs of dehydration including headache, extreme thirst, dizziness, and decreased urination
* experience convulsions or seizure
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you are likely not suffering from the H1N1 virus and do not need to visit an emergency room. However, if you have any of the following conditions and are experiencing a fever, cough, or a sore throat, you may want to see your family physician or a walk-in clinic:
* Aged 65 or older
* Diabetes
* Pregnancy
* Obesity
* Have a transplanted organ
* HIV/AIDS
* Chronic Heart Disease
* Sickle Cell
* Received chemotherapy in the past month
* Cirrhosis
* A disease the weakens the muscles
* A disease that makes it hard to think such as stroke, dementia, or Alzheimer’s
For those thinking about visiting a hospital for the H1N1 swine flu virus, keep these symptoms and conditions in mind. If you are not suffering from one of these symptoms or conditions but still feel sickly, stay at home (either from work or school) and rest up until you feel better. Take over-the-counter medicine such as acetaminophen o ibuprofen to reduce your fever. Also, you should rest, eat well, and drink a lot of fluids.
Visiting the hospital emergency room when you are in need of a medical emergency can save your life. However, if your medical condition is not requiring emergency medical care, unnecessarily visiting an emergency room can cost thousands of dollars. Remember to get the seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccine if it is available and to always wash your hands frequently with either soap and water or an alcohol hand sanitizer.