Don't panic—most people recover just fine. But do follow two key practices: hydration and monitoring. Contact a doctor if you seem to recover but then start relapsing.

Most people will recover from H1N1 without incident, but you should still keep an eye on your symptoms.

RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—As far as swine-flu prevention goes, you probably already know that measures like washing your hands, keeping your hands away from your face, covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and urging people to stay home when they're sick go a long way. And many people are scrambling to receive the swine flu vaccine for protection, too. But in some cases, particularly in close settings like classrooms and college dorms, the chances of being infected are pretty high. So what exactly should you do if you or your child gets sick from H1N1? A little TLC never hurts, but our experts say "H&M," hydrating and monitoring, are key in treating swine flu effectively.

THE DETAILS: Nationwide, the incidence of flulike illness is increasing, and it's already equal to or higher than what is typically seen at the peak of regular flu season, which usually occurs between December and February. Flu-related hospitalizations and deaths are also climbing above what is normal for this time of the year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency reported that 11 flu-related pediatric deaths occurred in the past week; since April 2009, H1N1 has been blamed for 86 child deaths. Overall, more than 15,000 people have been hospitalized in the U.S. due to the virus, and unfortunately, more than 2,000 have died.

WHAT IT MEANS: While those numbers are sobering, it is also important to put things into perspective. More than 99 percent of people infected with swine flu recover without medicine. "We can take some comfort that 99 percent recover uneventfully, but there are some important caveats," says William Schaffner, MD, chair of the department of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, and president-elect of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

Here are the important strategies for treating swine flu:

• Don't shop for meds online. Late last week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers to avoid buying fake and illegal flu meds online. In an investigation, the agency purchased several products online claiming to be Tamiflu (oseltamivir), an antiviral prescription medicine that can reduce the risk of complications in patients infected with the H1N1 virus. However, the online products turned out to be shady; one shipment came from India in an unmarked envelope full of unidentified white tablets. After analyzing them, the FDA found the pills contained talc and acetaminophen, but none of the active ingredients of Tamiflu. Aside from that, the other products ordered online did contain some levels of oseltamivir, but were not approved for use in the U.S. The orders didn't arrive fast enough to effectively help someone suffering from H1N1, either. Tamiflu is most effective if given within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. “Products that are offered for sale online with claims to diagnose, prevent, mitigate, treat, or cure the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus must be carefully evaluated,” says FDA commissioner of food and drugs Margaret A. Hamburg, MD. “Medicines purchased from websites operating outside the law put consumers at increased risk, due to a higher potential that the products will be counterfeit, impure, contaminated, or have too little or too much of the active ingredient.”

If your doctor prescribes Tamiflu or Relenza (zanamivir), another antiviral, get it directly from an actual pharmacy.