Influenza

Influenza, more commonly known as “the flu,” is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. It is very contagious and spreads through contact with an infected person, such as:

• Being near the infected person when they sneeze, cough, or talk.
• Touching a surface (such as a doorknob) that the infected person touched, then touching your own face.
• Directly touching the infected person’s face, then touching your own face.
• Sharing food, drinks, and eating utensils with the infected person.

While it shares some symptoms with the common cold, the flu usually feels more severe and can cause serious health complications. This is especially true if you:

• Are under the age of five or over the age of 65.
• Have certain chronic health conditions, such as:
  • Asthma
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • COPD
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • Neurological disease
  • Sickle cell disease
• Have had a stroke.
• Are immunocompromised (that is, you have a weakened immune system from either a disease [such as rheumatoid arthritis] or medication [such as chemotherapy drugs]).
• Are pregnant.

The best preventative measure you can take against the flu is getting your annual flu shot, ideally before the end of October each year. The shot doesn’t guarantee that you won’t get the flu, but it greatly lowers your chances of experiencing complications.

Symptoms of the flu may include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Fatigue (feeling tired)
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Sweating and chills
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose

Most people are able to recover from the flu at home by:

• Resting.
• Staying hydrated.
• Taking over-the-counter (OTC) medication, such as pain relievers / fever reducers, cough suppressants, decongestants (to relieve stuffiness in your nose), and expectorants (to loosen mucus in your chest). 
  • Not all OTC medications are safe for everyone, so check with your provider before taking them.
• Applying a heating pad or a hot water bottle to your muscles if they are sore.

However, you may need to see a provider and ask about getting an antiviral medication prescription if you:

• Are at risk for serious complications from the flu.
• Are in frequent close proximity to someone who is at risk for serious complications from the flu.
• Have symptoms that last beyond seven to 10 days.

Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you are experiencing any of the following:

• A fever over 103° F.
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
• Sudden dizziness.
• Confusion or disorientation.
• Severe dehydration (peeing only a little bit or not at all).
• Chest or stomach pain.
• Seizures.
• Symptoms that improve but then return with greater severity.