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Seasonal flu facts: By Sarah Clawson, CNP
January 9, 2015
Influenza (flu) is a
contagious respiratory illness that is caused by a virus. The flu can be serious but most people will recover
on their own. However, some people need
to go to the hospital because of the flu.
Some people even die from the flu.
This is because the flu can cause a serious lung infection called
pneumonia.
The flu occurs more
commonly in the winter months because people spend more time in close contact
with each other. It is spread easily
from person-to-person by coughing, sneezing or touching surfaces. Anyone can get the flu, and vaccination is
the best way to protect against influenza. Even healthy children and adults can
get very sick from the flu and spread it to family and friends.
Flu symptoms can vary
from person to person but usually include:
People with the flu
usually have a fever for 2-5 days. This
is different than fever caused by other respiratory viruses, which usually gets
better after 24-48 hours. Flu symptoms
usually improve on their own over 2-5 days, although some may feel ill for a
week or more. Weakness and fatigue may
last for several weeks.
To protect yourself
from getting the flu you should:
If you think you might
have the flu, stay home, rest and drink plenty of fluids. You can also take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to
help with fever and aches. Most people
will get better on their own but call your health care provider if you:
Take your child to a
health care provider if he or she:
Do not go to work or
school until your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours without taking
fever reducing medication like Tylenol.
There are antiviral
medications available by prescription that will help to lessen the severity and
shorten the course of the flu. These
medications work best if started within 48 hours of symptom development. Not everyone needs treatment for the flu,
but some people do. Your healthcare
provider should decide if you need treated with antiviral medication. Madison Health
Primary Care offers rapid testing for the flu using a simple nasal swab that
takes 15 minutes to run in the office. Sarah Clawson is a certified nurse practitioner at
Madison Health Primary Care in London.
To make an appointment, please call 740-845-7500. The practice is
currently accepting new patients, including adults and children.
Seasonal
Influenza. (2014). Retrieved from cdc.gov/flu. |
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