Flu season is upon us. It is time to get a head start to avoid flu playing havoc with your life. Information about flu and its treatment is provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
What are the symptoms? They could be some or all of these: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting. What should I do if I get sick? Most cases are mild and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. Most importantly, stay home and avoid contact with others. If you are in a high risk group (This includes people over 65.) or get very sick, contact your doctor. If you have to leave home, use a facemask.
People at high risk who get an antiviral treatment, should get it as early as possible, ideally within the first two days of symptoms onset.
Do I go to urgent care or the emergency room if I am only a little sick? No. Go there if you are very sick. Otherwise, you run the risk of contracting flu, if you do not already have it. Call your health care provider for direction.
What are the emergency warning signs? These include difficulty breathing, pain in the chest or abdomen, dizziness, confusion, persistent vomiting, fever or cough that goes away and comes back.
If I have the flu, how long do I have to stay home? CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. While home and staying away from others, wash your hands frequently with soap and water, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (Then, throw away the tissue.), and clean and disinfect surfaces regularly.
– Bob Mann, Sales & Marketing Director
