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The Centers for
Disease Control (CDC) recommend three important action steps
for fighting the flu: vaccinate, stop the germs and taking
antiviral drugs if your Primary Care Provider (PCP)
prescribes them.
People seem to have
strong opinions either for, or against influenza
vaccination. And may I just say; the flu vaccine does not
give you the flu. People who get the flu after receiving
the vaccine may have been exposed to the virus beforehand.
It is also possible that they were exposed to one of the
many strains of flu virus that the vaccine does not cover.
The vaccines are
prepared every year based on the most prevalent virus
expected. It is highly recommended that those most at risk
for serious illness be vaccinated – the very young (six
months and older); the elderly; those with chronic
illnesses, like asthma, heart, lung, kidney, and neurologic
diseases) and pregnant women. Those who care for high-risk
people and healthcare providers should also be vaccinated.
Flu germs can be
spread up to six feet away though the air and on surfaces
that are touched. Avoid close contact with people you know
are sick. You may not know if you’ve been exposed because
those with the virus are infectious for one day before
symptoms start, and for five-to-seven days after becoming
sick.
Children can spread
the virus for even longer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose,
and mouth. To protect others, use a tissue for coughing and
sneezing, then throw it away after use. Wash your hands
afterwards. If no soap and water are available, use an
alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Stay home until you have been
fever-free for 24 hours without taking a fever reducer. Use
a disinfectant cleaner for common surfaces.
Anti-viral drugs
don’t take away the illness; rather, they lessen the
severity, and decrease the number of days you are ill. Most
of the viruses are susceptible to oseltamir (Tamiflu) and
zanamivir (Relenza). These drugs are not available over the
counter, and must be prescribed my your PCP. For the drugs
to be effective, they need to be started within two days of
the beginning of symptoms and taken for five days. These
drugs do not take the place of getting the vaccine.
The flu symptoms
range from being mild to severe. Common symptoms are: high
fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches,
headache, chills, fatigue, and occasionally vomiting and
diarrhea. Most people say that they feel like they have
been run over by a truck. Other than the antiviral
medications; you just have to wait it out. Viral symptoms
usually take seven-10 days to resolve.
It is important to
stay hydrated – water, orange juice, tea, or broth. Rest!
Advil or Tylenol may be helpful for fever, and body aches.
Hopefully you have a wonderful person around to take care of
you, and monitor your condition. Please have someone take
you to the emergency room if you are unable to get enough
fluids in, if breathing status worsens, or if your level of
consciousness decreases.
Dianne Pettis, MS, FNP-BC
724-375-7519
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