The Dreaded Influenza

By Mary Parks Lamb, M.D.

‘Tis the season for sniffles, coughs, headaches, fever and yes, influenza. , but read on so you won’t feel sick and tired from influenza. You need to know important information that just may spare you the wrath of the flu and all its unpleasantries.

The culprits behind influenza, commonly called “the flu,” are viruses that infect the respiratory tract. The viruses come in several varieties, the most common of which are types A and B.

The flu begins abruptly with malaise and a fever between 102-105 degrees farenheight. An adult typically has a lower fever than a child, but high fever is present none the less.

Fever typically lasts a few days but can last up to five days. Most people experience body aches, chills, headach, and fatigue, followed shortly thereafter by sore throat, runny nose, sneezing and hacking cough.

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can occur as well. People often use the term “stomach flu” to describe a viral illness where nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are the primary symptoms.

Other viruses actually cause that type of illness, correctly termed gastroenteritis. Influenza viruses primarily cause an upper respiratory illness. Symptoms of influenza differ from the common cold in that the fever is higher, the symptoms are more severe, and the length of illness is longer.

In most otherwise healthy individuals, the flu lasts seven to 10 days.

Complications can occur, especially in individuals under the age of 5 or older the age of 65, pregnant women, residents of long-term care facilities, and anyone with chronic medical conditions such as heart or lung disease, diabetes, cancer or kidney disease. In an average year, approximately 30,000 deaths occur nationwide from complications of influenza.

The most common way to catch the flu is by breathing in droplets from coughs or sneezes. Less commonly, you can catch it when you touch a surface that has the virus on it (such as a doorknob, phone or faucet) and then touch your mouth, nose or eyes.

Symptoms develop one to seven days later. Influenza is very contagious and often spreads quickly through schools and work places.

A diagnosis of the flu can be made by a history and physical exam by your physician. Most providers have rapid influenza tests taken by a nasal or throat swab with results available in 15 minutes.

Treatment depends on your risk factors. Most people do not need antiviral medication for influenza, but if you are in the high risk groups listed above, treatment may be indicated if started within 48 hours of symptom onset.

Other helpful recommendations to follow include getting plenty of rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking acetominophen or ibuprofen for fever reduction and improvement of symptoms. Things to avoid include aspirin (especially teens and children to avoid Reye’s syndrome), alcohol and tobacco, and antibiotics (unless prescribed by a physician for other reasons).

Several common-sense measures can help you avoid catching the flu. Limit exposure to those who are ill. Wash hands frequently with soap and water and carry hand sanitizer with you as well. Wash common household and work place surfaces frequently with a cleaning solution that kills viruses.

If you do get ill, try to prevent spreading the illness to others by coughing into your elbow, sneezing into a tissue and throwing it away, washing hands frequently, and staying away from work or school until fever has broken for at least 24 hours without the use of Tylenol or ibuprofen.

The most important way to protect yourself from the flu is vaccination. Although annual flu vaccination has been recommended for people in high risk groups, many still do not receive the vaccine. They mistakenly perceive influenza as a minor illness and believe the vaccine has unpleasant side effects or can even cause the flu.

The truth is that influenza can be a serious problem, especially for those in high risk groups. Long gone are the complications associated with vaccines made decades ago; the vaccine causes few to no side effects in most people.

Editor's Note: You can reach the author here:

Mary Parks Lamb, M.D.
Lakeside Primary Care
Waterdam Plaza, McMurray
www.lakesideprimarycare.net
724.969.1001