So the flu season is in full swing, and the bulk of the country is listed as having intense flu activity. I thought I would just put some flu information on here to share with everyone.
If you have not yet gotten one, it is not too late to get a flu shot. Even if you get exposed in the near future, you will likely have a reduced severity of illness if you have been immunized.
The vaccine is a pretty good match for the strains of flu that are circulating. You may have heard of people who have been immunized and still got the flu. That is true. It relates to how well your body develops antibodies in response to the vaccine. Older folks don't respond as well as younger people. But there is still more than 50% response.
The most important thing you can do to protect yourself is to WASH YOUR HANDS. It doesn't matter if it's soap & water or alcohol sanitizer. And if you come in contact with surfaces that are handled by others, be sure to wash your hands immediately after touching them. If you use shared equipment at work (such as a keyboard or phone) wipe it with disinfecting wipes before you use it.
If you get the flu, you are going to feel lousy for a week. Whether you get treatment or are hospitalized, you will feel lousy for a week. There's no real advantage to being in the hospital. The care of someone with the flu should include treatment of symptoms and fever reduction with tylenol or advil. Plenty of fluids to keep the person hydrated. Plenty of rest is important.
Call your doctor if you have a fever over 104, or if a child younger than 5 is over 102. For infants under 3 months, follow your doctor's recommendation. Or if you have a fever with a stiff neck, bad headache, severe sore throat, earache, or a rash. If you stop making urine or it is very dark, or if you cough up green, brown or bloody mucus.
Call 911 if you or a loved one experiences seizures, inability to walk or sit up, unconsciousness, confusion, has speech changes or you can't understand their speech, chest pain, trouble breathing, unable to wake up, or bluis or grayish skin color.
~Donna