Who Wants the Flu?

Flu season is here again and nobody wants a cold or the flu.  Here are some tips to help prevent the spread of cold or flu and some ways to help you feel better if you get sick.

 Symptoms:

• Fever *Not everyone with the flu will have a fever.
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches
• Headache
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea and vomiting *Sometimes

A flu vaccine protects against the three viruses that research suggests will be most common. This year's vaccine has only been moderately (sixty-two perecent) effective in preventing the flue. So it is important, whether you have had the vaccine, or not, to follow these tips to help prevent getting the flu.

• Wash your hands often, with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol base hand rub. This is the number one way to prevent the spread of infection. Teach children to wash their hands.

Clean hands prevent the flu:

• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs, like the flu.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way. 
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people. If someone is coughing or sneezing, try to stay at least six feet away, from them.

If you are sick with a cold or flu, prevent the spread to others.

• The CDC recommends that you stay home for at least twenty-four hours after your fever is gone, except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever reducing medicine.)
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible, to keep from infecting them.
• When you sneeze or cough, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sneeze/cough into your elbow, not your hand. Throw used tissues into the trash. 

Remember: Colds and flu are viruses and antibiotics will not help you, unless you have a bacterial infection on top of the viral cold/flu infection.

Care for yourself when you are sick:

• Get plenty of rest, give your body time to recover.
• Eat lightly and keep hydrated. You may have a poor appetite, that is normal when you are sick. It is important to drink and keep hydrated. Hot tea with honey and lemon are helpful, if you have a sore throat and/or cough.
• If you are congested, it may be helpful to avoid dairy, which increases mucous production. 

There are medicines available, over the counter, to treat fever, cough, and congestion. Read labels carefully and follow directions. Do not take more than the recommended dosage. Pay particular attention to "cold medicines" that have multiple ingredients. Exampe: If a cold medicine has acetaminophen, don't take additional acetaminophen (Tylenol), as you can overdose and damage your liver.

It's prefer to treat symptoms and use medicine for each symptom. Yes, you will be taking more medicine, but you will not be taking more dosage of each medicine and you will customize your medicine to only those symptoms you have. You will not be taking medicine for symptoms you don't have. Example: If you don't have a cough, there's no reason for you to take something that has cough medicine in it. If symptoms persist, or get worse, see a doctor.


Certain people are at greater risk of serious flu related complications. This includes young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with certain long term medical conditions. If you are in a high risk group and develop flu symptoms, it's best for you to contact you doctor. Remind them about your high risk for the flu.

CDC Emergency warning signs:

In children:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

In addition to the signs above, get medical help right away for any infant who has any of these signs:

•  Inability to eat
• Trouble breathing
• No tears when crying
• Significantly fewer wet diapers, than normal 

In adults:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu like symptoms that improve, but then return with fever and worse cough

This video was made for healthcare workers, but it's fun for everyone.