Influenza Guide
Influenza (flu) is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system – your nose, throat and lungs. According to the CDC, from 5-20% of the U.S. population gets the flu each year. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized each year as a result of flu complications and about 36,000 people actually die from the flu. It is important to learn about treatment and prevention so you can better protect yourself and your family.
What are the signs and symptoms of the flu?
Initially, the flu may seem like a common cold with a runny nose, sneezing and sore throat. But colds usually develop slowly, whereas the flu tends to come on suddenly. Although a cold can be a nuisance, you usually feel much worse with the flu. Common signs and symptoms of the flu include: Fever over 100 F (38 C), chills/sweats, headache, dry cough, aching muscles, fatigue, weakness and/or nasal congestion.
What is the best way to prevent the flu?
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) now recommends all Americans over the age of 6 months have yearly flu vaccinations. It is also important to wash your hands regularly in warm soapy water, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Try to avoid close contact with sick people, eat a nutritious diet, drink plenty of fluids, get enough sleep to feel well-rested and have time for relaxation and regular exercise. Keeping your immune system healthy is important in preventing the flu and other illnesses.
Should I worry about the H1N1 virus?
In August 2010 the World Health Organization (WHO) announced an end to the global H1N1 flu pandemic. This means that the 2009 H1N1 virus has become a seasonal flu bug.
Despite more than 12,000 U.S. deaths in relatively young people and many more deaths worldwide, the 2009 H1N1 virus was not as bad as it could have been. The virus never incorporated virulence factors that would have made illness much worse, nor did the virus evolve into a nightmare plague. In fact, the virus remained unchanged throughout the first year of the pandemic.
Do I need to get a separate vaccine for H1N1?
Each year’s seasonal flu vaccine contains protection from the three influenza viruses that are expected to be most common during that year’s flu season. The 2010-2011 vaccine protects against an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the same H1N1 virus that was seen last season. It is currently available as an injection or as a nasal spray.
What should I do if I get sick?
You should stay home and avoid contact with other people. Staying home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care. If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your doctor. Otherwise you should:
- Call your doctor within 48 hours of noticing flu symptoms and ask about antiviral drugs. They can help decrease flu symptoms and may shorten the duration of the flu if taken early in the illness.
- Get plenty of rest - seven to nine hours.
- Drink plenty of fluids – staying hydrated is important when you have fever.
- Breathe steam to help add moisture to dry throats and nasal passages.
- Eat a nutritious diet to maximize your immune defenses with the flu.
- Keep the flu to yourself. Stay away from family members, colleagues and friends because you are contagious for five days after flu symptoms start.
Should I take antibiotics if I have the flu?
Antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria and are, therefore, only useful for treating bacterial infections. The flu is a viral infection, not bacterial, and because of this it cannot be treated with antibiotics. Taking antibiotics to fight the flu can actually be harmful to your health. Inappropriate use of antibiotics contributes to the development of antibiotic resistance, which is a growing health concern.
