The flu: What you need to know

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Tis the season…Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and oh yeah, flu season. As winter begins so does the time for runny noses, coughs, and fevers. The important question is, what can you do to stay healthy and if you do become ill, how do you know the difference between a cold and influenza (flu) or something more serious such as pneumonia?

So, let's start with some basic facts about the flu virus and the typical symptoms of influenza infection.

Flu is most common during the months of January through March but can occur as early as November. The virus is fairly easy to transmit from person to person usually through respiratory secretions by coughing. That's why frequent hand washing and good hygiene is important. Most people, once exposed will become ill within one to two days.

The most common symptoms associated with flu are cough, fairly high fever, and widespread muscle aches and soreness. In contrast, a typical cold may have associated cough and fever but typically lacks the body aches. Most colds will also cause significant runny nose.

Last year alone there were 83 reported deaths from flu and its complications in children under the age of eighteen. In addition, over 36,000 hospital admissions occurred for children under 18 due to the flu (CDC, 2008).

These statistics are only for children, so you can imagine the significant numbers of adults who were hospitalized and died from the flu as well.

The information above is not given to scare you, but to make you realize the potential of an illness that many people view as an annoyance or insignificant. If you do get the flu, there are treatments available especially if you are treated within the first 48 hours of symptoms.

There are now two medications available; one taken by mouth and the other medication is given nasally. These medications can shorten the duration of the illness and may prevent complications.

The nasal drug, Relenza, is a good option for those who may have difficulty swallowing.

The oral drug, Tamiflu, is very well tolerated and is typically taken for 5 days. If, despite appropriate treatment, a person does become increasingly ill or suffers a complication such as pneumonia, then hospitalization may be necessary.

As with many things in medicine, the best treatment is prevention or not to become ill in the first place; which is why this flu season the most important thing you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get a flu vaccine. The official recommendation from the Center for Disease Control is that all children from 6 months of age to 18 be vaccinated.

Also, all those over the age of 50 should receive a vaccine. Even if you do not fall into those age categories you should still get vaccinated if you are pregnant, live with or care for someone who falls into those age groups. My advice to all my patients is to receive a vaccine unless you have a good reason not to be vaccinated. The only reasons to decline a flu vaccination are previous reactions to the vaccine or a known allergy to eggs.

So do all you can to stay healthy and protect your loved ones this flu season. You should contact your primary care doctor and receive a vaccine as soon as you can, vaccinations have already begun. In closing, I hope you have a safe, blessed, and flu-free winter and holiday season.

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