Denver -- An ICU nurse who has the H1N1 virus wants everyone to take it seriously. And she is not alone with that message.

HealthOne said 25 percent of all emergency room patients this past week came in with flu-like symptoms. The week before, the number of patients with flu-like symptoms was only 10 percent.

The numbers of people contracting the H1N1 virus are increasing and hospitals have the numbers to prove it. Dr. John Hammer, an infectious diseases specialist with Rose Hospital said about 98 percent of all patients who contract the flu this year will have the H1N1 virus, not the seasonal flu.

“I felt like somebody poured acid in my lungs,” said Diana, the ICU nurse with H1N1.

Diana did not want 7News to use her last name or identify the hospital she works for.

She contracted the virus last Thursday and was sent home from work. For five days afterwards she isolated herself inside her home. She made her two children stay with family and neighbors and would only wave to them through her front window.

“Family, neighbors and friends have been caring for my children for me. And I feel very grateful for that because if I gave this to my kids I don't know how I would ever forgive myself,” she said trying to hold back tears.

Diana said the H1N1 virus is the sickest she has ever been. She said for two days she did not know if she would wake up when she fell asleep.

“It hurt that bad everywhere,” said Diana. “The headache, the pains down my back; it hurt that bad to breathe.”

Diana is not alone.

“It is spreading not through the fault of people per say, but because this is a new pandemic virus,” said Hammer. “What pandemic means is that it is a virus that people have not been exposed to before.”

Therefore Hammer said more people will get sick, but he said unless you are high risk patient or are extremely ill, coming to the hospital won't help.

“They will recommend going home and taking Tylenol, etc,” said Hammer.

The best advice health officials say is to avoid the virus. Diana said she is telling her loved ones and neighbors to wear a mask anytime they are in public or crowded places. Hammer said that may be a little extreme, but does recommend masks if you believe you are sick or if you are around sick people.

Hammer said the best way to avoid the H1N1 virus is to get the vaccine when it arrives in Colorado. He said 98 percent of all flu cases this year will be from H1N1 not the seasonal flu.