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Is it a cold or the flu?
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Posted 6 months ago Is it a cold or the flu? Both have similar symptoms, so it can be hard to tell the difference. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold. Symptoms such as fever, body aches, tiredness, and cough are more common and intense with the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Your health care provider can give you a test within the first few days of your illness to determine whether or not you have the flu. If you have been diagnosed with the flu, you should stay home. Talk to your health care provider or pharmacist about over-the-counter and prescription medications to ease flu symptoms and help you feel better faster. And remember, the best protection against the flu is the flu vaccine.
Seasonal Flu Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. Approximately 5-20% of U.S. residents get the flu each year. What is the seasonal flu?
Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It spreads between people and can cause mild to severe illness. In some cases, the flu can lead to death. When is flu season? In the United States, flu season occurs in the fall and winter. Seasonal flu activity usually peaks in January or February, but it can occur as early as October and as late as May. How does seasonal flu spread? Most experts believe that you get the flu when a person with the flu coughs, sneezes, or talks and droplets containing their germs land in your mouth or nose. You can also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then touching your mouth, eyes, or nose. Who is at risk? Some groups are more likely to experience complications from the seasonal flu, including: How can I protect myself from seasonal flu? Get the flu vaccine as soon as it is available in your area. The 2012-2013 vaccine is now available. You should also follow our everyday steps to keep yourself healthy. What are common complications from the seasonal flu? Complications from the flu include: Each year approximately 5-20% of U.S. residents get the flu and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized for flu-related complications. How long does the illness last? Most people who get the flu feel much better within one or two weeks. How long am I contagious? Most healthy adults can infect others one day before symptoms develop and five to seven days after symptoms appear. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be contagious for a longer period. How many times can a person become infected with the seasonal flu? You are unlikely to get infected with the same exact strain of flu more than once. It is possible to be infected with flu virus more than once in a season, though, because several different strains of flu virus circulate each year. Exposure to a particular strain of flu virus may help protect you against that strain in the future. But it will not protect you from infection with other flu virus strains.
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| Posted 6 months ago Is the stomach flu really the flu? Many people use “stomach flu” to describe illness with nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Many different viruses, bacteria, or parasites can cause these symptoms. While the flu can sometimes cause vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea—more commonly in children than adults — these problems are rarely the main symptoms of the flu. The flu is a respiratory disease and not a stomach or intestinal disease. Who monitors seasonal flu activity? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tracks flu activity in the United States year round and produces a weekly report of flu activity from October through mid-May.
Pregnant Women Changes to a pregnant woman’s immune system can make her more sensitive to the flu. You should get the flu vaccine as soon as it is available in your area. Why does being pregnant put me at higher risk for getting the flu?
Changes to your immune system during pregnancy can make you more sensitive to the flu. This can result in serious problems for your unborn baby, including premature labor and delivery. Additionally, fever in early pregnancy can lead to birth defects. How can I protect myself and my unborn child from the flu? Get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available in your area. You will need to get the flu shot. The nasal spray flu vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women. If you get the flu shot during your pregnancy, research shows it provides some protection to your baby both while you are pregnant and after the baby is born. In addition, follow our everyday steps to keep you and your baby healthy this flu season. How can I protect my baby once he or she is born? Breastfeeding protects babies because breast milk passes your antibodies to your baby. The antibodies in breast milk help fight off infection. Studies show that babies who are breastfed do not get as sick and are sick less often than babies who are not breastfed. If you get the flu, do not stop breastfeeding. Unless directed by your health care provider, continue to nurse your baby while being treated for the flu.
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| Posted 6 months ago If I have the flu, what should I do? If you get flu-like symptoms, contact your health care provider immediately. If necessary, your health care provider will prescribe an antiviral medicine to treat you. If you have a fever you should take Tylenol® (or the store brand equivalent). In addition, follow our treatment recommendations. When should I get emergency care? Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
Caring for Someone with the Flu Keep the sick person comfortable and follow the recommendations of his or her health care provider. Keep others in the home healthy by washing hands and household surfaces frequently. How do I care for the sick person?
Make sure the sick person follows any instructions given by his or her health care provider and takes all medications as directed. You can make the sick person more comfortable by following our treatment recommendations. Get immediate medical care if the sick person experiences:
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| Posted 6 months ago How do I keep myself and others in the home from getting sick? Keep the sick person away from other people as much as possible, especially those who are at high risk of complications from the flu. You can do this in your home by creating a sick room. Keep the sick person in a room away from common areas of the house. If you have more than one bathroom, have the sick person use one and well people use the other. Clean the sick room and bathroom daily with household disinfectant. The sick person should not have visitors other than caregivers. An email, text message, or phone call is safer than a visit. Take these additional steps to protect yourself and people in your home from getting the flu.
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