Chances are that you know at least one person who’s had influenza – more commonly known as the flu – this season. The virus usually peaks in the United States in February.

Getting the flu can be miserable. Most people are sick with the flu for only a few days, but some develop serious complications that must be treated in the hospital. Flu can also lead to pneumonia and death.

Here are tips for recognizing the flu and knowing when to seek medical treatment so you can get better faster.

Symptoms

Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills – though not everyone with the flu will have a fever

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Muscle or body aches

• Headaches

• Fatigue (tiredness)

• Vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

• Treatment

For most people, the flu can be treated at home. Treatment may include:

• Getting plenty of rest.

• Staying hydrated by drinking fluids such as water or broth.

• Taking over-the-counter medicines, if you wish, for congestion, nasal discharge, aches and fever. For children and teens, the medicine of choice for aches and fever is acetaminophen. Do not give aspirin to children or teens with fever. It could cause side effects or even Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious illness that can injure all organs of the body, most often the liver and brain.

Complications

Anyone can get sick with the flu, even healthy people, and serious problems related to the flu can happen to anyone at any age.

But some people are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications if they get sick. This includes people age 65 years and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease), pregnant women and children younger than 5 years, but especially those younger than 2 years old.

When to Seek Medical Care

If you have other health problems that make you more susceptible to complications from the flu, tell your healthcare provider when you suspect you have the flu.

Your provider may prescribe antiviral medicines. These medications can shorten the length of time you are ill. In some high-risk people, these medicines can also lower the risk of complications or shorten how long they last.

Antiviral medicines generally must be started within the first two days of the illness. But people at the highest risk for complications or those who already have them may be given the medicines even after the second day of being sick.

If your symptoms get worse or you have new symptoms, let your provider know. And if you or your child has any of the emergency warning signs of flu complications, seek medical treatment immediately.

Do not hesitate to consult your medical provider for any symptom that is concerning.

You can protect yourself from the flu in the future by getting the flu vaccine annually.

If you are looking for a primary care provider, Aultman Medical Group Primary Care has more than 80 providers ready to take care of you and your family. Many of our offices are accepting new patients – and more than likely, we have a location in your community.

Visit aultman.org/NewDoc to find a provider in your area who is accepting new patients, or call the new patient hotline at 330-433-1264 for assistance with scheduling your appointment.

Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The StayWell Company, LLC