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Influenza

FLU SEASON

INFLUENZA is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses and can cause mild to severe illness.  Because of the severity of flu, everyone should be vigilant at getting the vaccine, but certain people at high risk for even more serious flu complications should be vaccinated every year without fail.  Those include people with chronic illness such as asthma, diabetes, congestive heart failure, and compromised immunce systems such a cancer, HIV and AIDS, the elderly, the morbidly obese, and young children.  

​SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:​           

Sudden onset of:

  • fever
  • cough
  • sore throat
  • runny or congested nose
  • body aches/muscle soreness
  • extreme fatigue/feeling run down
  • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (more common in children)

TRANSMISSION:

Flu is mainly spread by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk and come in contact with others nearby.  A person might also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has a flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or nose.

PREVENTION:

  • ​​Hand washing is always the body’s best defense against infection.  Wash hands frequently and thoroughly
  • Bathe daily with soap and water
  • Avoid touching your eyes, mouth or nose with unwashed hands
  • Stay away from people who are sick
  • Get plenty of rest
  • Exercise often
  • Practice good nutrion
  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • ALWAYS COUGH OR SNEEZE IN YOUR SLEEVE

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE THE FLU:

  • Stay home and avoid contact with people other than seeking medical care.
  • Treat symptoms with anti-virals if prescribed by your physician and OTCs that DO NOT contain aspirin
  • GET A FLU VACCINE EVERY YEAR!