Influenza

Influenza- the Flu

Each year in the United States there are millions of people infected with the flu and about 20,000 flu related deaths. Luckily, we have ways to treat this illness; unluckily the virus changes every year. Because this happens and there are several strains going around at once, doctors can only select a few strains to make a vaccine from. To help immunize people from the virus, a flu shot must be taken every year. The flu spreads quickly and easily, via coughing or sneezing on your hands, or other things that people touch. The virus spends 1 to 4 days incubating before the symptoms arise:

• Coughing- which may start dry and become more ‘wet’. This cough may last for up to 2 weeks and in smokers it may lead to bronchitis and pneumonia.
• Chills and sweating
• Nasal congestion (runny nose, stuffy nose)
• Tiredness and weakness (may last for a week or so even after the person has recovered)
• Sore throat
• Vomiting and diarrhea in children 6 and younger. 
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle aches and pains, especially in the arms, legs, and back. 
• Fever of 101 F or more (up to 104/106 F). This fever can last for a day, or as long as a week.

If you have the flu you are contagious for about 5-7 days after the start of symptoms.

You should call your doctor if:

• The fever goes away and then comes back a few days later, or if it persists for more than 4 days.
• You feel especially concerned. Trust your instinct and see a doctor for advice.
• If your cough becomes wheezy, or you have trouble breathing. If you begin coughing up blood or yellow-green colored mucus you also want to see a doctor.
• If you have a chronic illness like diabetes asthma, kidney, blood, heart, or lung problems.
• If you’re suffering from severe confusion, seizures/convultions, loss of consciousness, spasms, bleeding, heart irregularity, ear pain or prolonged headache.

You are at high risk for the flu if:

• You’re 50 or older.
• Work in a hospital or nursing home where you may be exposed to people with the virus.
• If you have a chronic illness (diabetes asthma, kidney, blood, heart, or lung problems).
•  If you are taking medications that suppress your immune system. Such as medications for an organ transplant.
• Will be in your second or third trimester or pregnancy during flu season.

Your children are at risk if:

• Have asthma or a chronic disease that affects their breathing, like cardiovascular disease.
• Are taking medications that suppress their immune systems.
• If they are around people who are at high risk for catching the flu.
• Have sickle cell anemia, or Reye’s syndrome.

• Non-aspirin pain relievers may be given (Tylenol for children, ibuprofen for teens and adults) to help ease fever, muscle and headaches.
• Drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated and keep mucus and other fluids from getting too thick and increasing breathing problems. Water, juice and chicken soup are tasty remedies.
• Get lots of rest! This will help your body channel all it’s energy into helping you get better and killing the flu virus.
• Antiviral medicines can be used, but antibiotics are useless against influenza and should not be taken. They are only helpful after the acute phase is over and bacterial complications have become present. 
• Wash your hands frequently, to keep them bacteria free and keep from spreading the virus to others.

The best way to avoid getting the flu virus is to receive the proper treatment if you are a high risk person, or if you are around high risk people. Getting a flu shot each year before flu season will give you a 70-90% chance of not contracting the virus. This should be done before flu season as it takes adults about 2 weeks to form the antibodies after receiving the vaccine. The shots are administered from mid-October to mid-November. It is also important to note that you CANNOT contract influenza from the flu shot. Soreness at the injection site or a slight fever for a day or so may occur in young children who have not been exposed to it before, but these are only side effects. It is also good to note that you should not receive a vaccination shot if:

• You are severely allergic to eggs, as the flu viruses are grown in hens’ eggs. These reactions are rare.
• You are in the first trimester of your pregnancy, unless your doctor advises you otherwise.

If you cannot receive a vaccination there are drugs that can protect against a disease, these are known as antivirals. If you have questions about these you should talk to your doctor before flu season begins.  If you have received a vaccination, after flu season has begun and you are at high risk of becoming infected with the virus (chronic illness, age 50+, young children, etc) then you should look into taking these drugs until your body has made the antibodies and has had time to build up a defense against the virus.

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