What you should know:

• Influenza (the flu) is an infection of the nose, throat, and some of the breathing tubes (large and moderate sized ones), is caused by the influenza viruses,  and usually occurs around wintertime (although, it can start as early as October and last as long as May)
• The influenza virus is a different virus from the one causing the common cold
• Influenza viruses can change themselves from year to year in ways that usually prevent previous exposure (or previous flu shots) from providing protection from one year to the next
• Symptoms may include: runny nose, sore throat, fever/chills, and cough.  There may also be other symptoms (which are usually more severe then those associated with the common cold) and may include: muscle aches, headache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
• Influenza is spread by coughing and sneezing, and from the hands of an infected person touching something that you touch afterward.   If you then touch your nose or mouth without washing your hands first, you may contract the disease
• The fever usually lasts 2 to 3 days; runny or stuffy nose 1 to 2 weeks; and cough up to 2 to 3 weeks.

What you should do:

• The best protection is to get the flu vaccine before flu season (unless you are allergic to the vaccine or any of its' components, for example, eggs)
• Wash your hands frequently during the flu season
• If the disease is mild, and you are not in a high risk group (see below), stay home, rest, and treat the disease symptoms:

?     Use Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or Ibuprofen (Advil®) to help control the fever and body aches

?     Get plenty of rest

?     Drink lots of liquids – Water, juices, noncaffeinated drinks (especially if you have a high fever)

?     salt water gargles may help relieve a sore throat

?     saline nasal spray (can purchase without a prescription) and nose blowing should clear most stuffed noses

• If the patient is a member of the high risk group and you suspect influenza, you should see a medical practitioner; high risk groups include:

?     People <= 5 years old or >= 65 years old

?     People with chronic illnesses, including:

?     lung disease (including asthma),

?     heart and/or blood vessel disease (except high blood pressure)

?     kidney disease

?     liver disease

?     blood diseases (including sickle cell)

?     nerve diseases

?     muscular diseases

?     metabolic diseases (including diabetes)

?     Pregnant women

?     Persons < 19 years old on chronic aspirin therapy

?     Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities

?     People with compromised immune systems, whether because of medications or illnesses (for example, AIDS)

• If you have any doubt as to the severity of the illness, seek medical consultation
• Thoroughly wash any eating utensils that came in contact with someone who has the flu before using them
• If you have the flu:

?     stay home and rest, avoid public places (where you run the risk of spreading the flu to others)

?     cough into a tissue, and throw it away; if you do not have a tissue, cough into your sleeve at the crook of your elbow

?     treat your symptoms as outlined above

• If you see a medical practitioner, do not deviate from their instructions without speaking to them first

What you should not do:

·        Do not use any aspirin or anything containing aspirin for anyone suspected of having the flu who is 19 years of age or younger (for example, Pepto-Bismol®, Alka-Seltzer® – check the label of ingredients: do not use anything containing salicylates)

·        If you are using nasal decongestants for symptomatic relief, do not use them longer then 3 days

·        If you have the flu, do not frequent public areas where you may spread the disease; if you must go into public places, wear a mask to prevent spreading germs to others when you cough or sneeze, or shield sneezes and coughs with a tissue or with your sleeve

What your physician may do:

·        After talking to and examining you, they may:

?      do special tests

?      prescribe medications that treat the symptoms

?      prescribe anti-viral medications that treat the flu

?      conclude that the illness is not the flu, and treat you accordingly