Flu
What you should do to prevent Flu Cedrina Calder, M.D. (pictured) explains what Flue is, what to do if you catch it and more importantly, what can be done to avoid getting it in the first place. pneumonia. Pneumonia is a serious lung infection that can be life threatening. Infection with the flu virus can also make some medical problems like asthma and heart disease worse. Catching the flu can lead to serious complications especially for people older than 65 years old, children less than five years old, pregnant women, and people who have certain medical problems. These individuals are at higher risk for having complications.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
After being exposed to the virus it takes anywhere from 1-4 days to begin having symp-toms. The most common symptoms of the flu are fever, cough, sore throat, headache, weakness, chills, muscle aches, runny or stuffy nose. Some people may have diarrhea or vomiting.
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lu season is upon us. While the flu may share some similar symptoms with the com-mon cold, it should not be taken so lightly. Unlike the common cold, the flu is a more serious illness so the proper steps should be taken to lessen your chances of catching it. This article explains how to find out more about the flu and what steps you can take to help protect yourself, your family, and others from the flu.
What exactly is the flu?
How do you catch the flu? The flu is very contagious. It is spread by droplets in the air from an infected person to other people. When a person with the flu coughs, sneezes, talks and breathes droplets are released into the air. These droplets contain flu virus and can travel and land on your nose, mouth, or eyes causing illness.
If I have the flu, how long will I be contagious?
The flu, short for ‘influenza’, is a virus that mostly affects the nose and throat but can also affect the lungs. You may have heard people mention the term “flu season”. The flu season refers to the period of months when the virus is most active. Although the flu virus is present year-round, the flu season is usually from October through March each year.
Once you catch the flu, you are most contagious for about 3-4 days after becoming ill. That is why it is important to stay home from work, school and other activities while you are sick. This helps prevent spreading the illness to other people especially those at higher risk for complications (i.e. children, older people, pregnant women).
What is the big deal about the flu?
Is there a test for the flu?
The flu usually has more severe symptoms than the common cold. These symptoms will come on suddenly and will likely cause you to miss days of work, school, or other activities. The flu can cause complications like ear and sinus infections and
There are a few different tests available. The most popular test is a rapid test which gives results within about 15 minutes. Other tests are sent to a lab so results take long-er to come back. If you are having flu-like symptoms, your health care provider may or 22
may not decide to test for it because a positive test may not change their plan for treat-ment. Instead, they may diagnose you based on symptoms only if they suspect that you have the flu.
Okay so I think I have the flu. Now what? If you are having symptoms that seem suspicious for the flu, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever goes away to avoid passing the virus to other people. Get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. Avoid contact with others as much as possible and wash your hands frequently. If you are having severe illness contact your health care provider right away. If you are at high risk for complications from the flu, contact your health care provider to see if you would benefit from antiviral medication. If taken early enough, this medication can make your symptoms less severe and shorten the amount of time you are ill.
How can I protect myself and others from catching the flu? If you believe you have the flu, avoid contact with other people and wash your hands frequently to avoid passing on the illness. When coughing and sneezing cover your nose and mouth. If you do not have the flu, the best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccine on a yearly basis preferably by the end of October. The flu vaccine reduces your risk of de-veloping the flu. It is recommended for anyone six months and older especially those at high risk for complications. It is possible to catch the flu even though you have received the vaccine, but if you do, the illness will likely be milder. In addition to the flu vaccine, there are other ways to help prevent the flu. You should avoid contact with sick people, wash your hands often, avoid touching your face, and keep surfaces and items clean that you come in contact with. For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm About the author: Dr. Cedrina Calder is a medical doctor and fitness guru. In addition to her career as a doctor, Dr. Calder is a professional body-builder. By utilizing her health and wellness expertise, she is dedicated to educating the public on how to improve and maintain their health.