Flu Season is Here

For all those traveling during this time of the year the worst thing that can happen while on vacation is getting sick. It’s that time of the year again, Flu season is upon us and it is back with a vengeance. We have already had cases of people testing positive for the Flu and the numbers will just keep going up.

What is the flu?

The “flu” is caused by the Influenza A or Influenza B virus. It is a viral infection.

Do I need antibiotics?

Antibiotics kill bacteria. They do not have any effect of viruses. The flu is not treated with antibiotics. There is an antiviral available that may be prescribed to you if you have the flu. The antiviral will not cure you of the flu but in some cases it can decrease the severity of your symptoms or shorten the length of your symptoms by one to two days.

How do I know if I have the flu or if it’s just a cold?

Influenza and the common cold are both infections of the respiratory tract. Typically colds are accompanied by runny nose, sore throat, sinus drainage, cough and chest congestion. The flu will consist of all of those symptoms but will also consist of high fevers, body aches, and generalized weakness.

What about vomiting and diarrhea?

The flu affects the respiratory tract and is not typically an illness of the GI tract. If you have abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea you may have gastroenteritis or what is more commonly referred to as the “stomach flu.” In some cases people who have the flu will have some nausea and vomiting. This is common in children and is actually a side effect of the fever. Once the fever is under control the vomiting usually stops.

How do I treat the flu?

The flu is managed by treating the symptoms.

• Fever- If you have a fever take acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). If you are an adult you can take two regular strength Tylenol every 4 hours and up to 800mg of Ibuprofen every 6 hours for fever control. If you have liver, kidney, stomach or bleeding problems please consult your doctor about the doses of these medications.
• Body aches- The fever medication that you are taking will also help with body aches. Make sure you are staying hydrated because not drinking enough fluids and electrolytes can cause worsening muscle aches.
• Fatigue You will be tired and feel run down, this is to be expected. Get plenty of rest, do not over exert yourself.
• Cough, congestion, sore throat- You can take over the counter cold medications to help treat these symptoms. Be careful when taking multi-system cold medications because they may contain acetaminophen or Ibuprofen in them already and you don’t want to take too much of that.

The flu is usually quick in onset. If your doctor prescribes an antiviral for you it is only beneficial if you begin it within the first 48 hours of onset of your symptoms.

Do I need to go to the Hospital?

This is a complicated question and that depends on a variety of factors.

If you think you are having a medical emergency stop reading this and call 911 or go to your nearest ER. I will not give you personalized medical advice over the internet. Just basic information and guidelines.

The flu does have deadly complications in rare cases. The most common complication is post influenza pneumonia. This is when you get pneumonia after you have the flu or towards the end of your flu course. This requires antibiotics for treatment because it is a bacterial infection of your lungs.  Young children, older adults, pregnant women, people with chronic illness such as diabetes, high blood pressure or patients with weak immune systems such as patients with HIV or cancer are at higher risk for complications from the flu and should be evaluated by a physician.

If you are traveling you can be exposed to many different bacteria and viruses that may appear to be the flu but could be something else entirely.  It is important to be evaluated by a physician if you have been out of the country recently and are ill.

How do I keep from getting the Flu?

Wash your hands!!! There are germs everywhere, the grocery store, countertops, telephones, door handles, etc. On average a person touches their face 3 times per minute. That is a lot of potential for spreading germs. The flu is spread by droplets so if you are diagnosed with it you can spread it by coughing, sneezing, wiping your mucous on surfaces. Clean and disinfect the surfaces in your home, wash your hands and if you want to go the extra mile you can wear a mask.

Last but not least….Get your flu shot!