"Oh, it's just a touch of the flu," some say, as if they had nothing more than a cold. Yet each year, 20,000 people die from pneumonia and other complications of the influenza virus, or flu.
Cold and flu symptoms resemble each other, but they differ in intensity. A cold generally starts out with some minor sniffling and sneezing, but the flu hits you all at once. You're fine one hour and in bed the next. A cold rarely moves into the lungs. The flu can cause pneumonia. You may be able to drag yourself to work with a cold, but with the flu you may be too ill to leave your bed.
If the following symptoms come on suddenly and intensely, you probably have the
flu:
Dry cough
Sore throat
Severe headache
General muscle aches or backache
Extreme fatigue
Chills
Fever up to 104oF
Pain when you move your eyes, or a burning
sensation in the eyes
Muscle aches and fatigue are the most common signs of the flu. These are normally absent with a cold.
Prevention
An annual flu shot (influenza vaccine) given each fall can help prevent
the flu or lessen its severity. Persons who should get a flu shot include: People 65 years
of age or older; residents of long term health care facilities; anyone with a chronic
medical illness or whose immune system is depressed; and anyone who has close contact with
people who are at risk for getting a serious case of influenza. Ask your doctor if you
should get an annual flu shot. Also, get plenty of rest, eat well, and exercise regularly
to stay strong and fight off the flu.
The antiviral medicines amantadine or rimantadine may be prescribed. {Note: In order for rimantadine to be effective, it must be taken within the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms of the flu.} Antibiotics (to combat any bacterial infection, if also present) may also be prescribed by your doctor.
Do you have any of these problems with the flu? Inability to speak more than 4 or 5
words between breaths Purple lips Chest pain that spreads to the neck, jaw, or
arm Spitting up blood Fever, stiff neck, and lethargy |
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| Do you have any of these problems with the flu? Earache Sinus pain Something thick coming from the nose, ears,
or chest |
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| Is your fever and/or other symptoms, like coughing, getting worse? |
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| Have flu symptoms come on 10 days to 3 weeks after a deer-tick
bite or exposure to woods or places where deer ticks live? |
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| Have you had the flu more than a week and not felt better with any
Self-Care Tips? Or have new symptoms developed? |
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| Have you had any side effects from taking any prescribed or
over-the-counter medicines? |
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There's no cure for the flu. It has to run its course. Generally, if you are in good
health, you can treat the flu on your own. Try these tips to minimize discomfort.
Get plenty of rest.
Drink lots of hot (not scalding) drinks.
They soothe your throat, help unplug your nose, and put back water you lose by sweating.
Gargle with warm, strong tea or warm salt
water. Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of salt in 1/2 cup of water.
Suck on lozenges or hard candies to
lubricate your throat. (Don't give these to children under age 5.)
Let yourself cough if you are bringing up
mucus. Don't suppress a cough that produces mucus. Ask you pharmacist for an
over-the-counter expectorant if this is all right with your doctor. Also, if mucus is
bloody, yellow, or green, contact your doctor for advice.
Don't drink milk or eat dairy products for
a couple of days. They make mucus thick and hard to cough up in some persons.
Wash your hands often, especially after
blowing your nose and before handling food. This helps you avoid spreading the flu virus
to others. It helps to keep you from picking up viruses, too.
Take an over-the-counter medicine for fever
and/or muscle aches. {Note: See Pain relievers in "Your Home Pharmacy".}
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99