Look what flu in with the cold

Everything you need to know about the flu and how to protect yourself and your family from the flu virus this winter.

The headline on the 10 o’clock news was “The Flu is Back.”

The flu is not back – it’s been here for quite a while now due to an early start to the season. Nationwide and locally, we are seeing recent spikes in viral syndromes that are causing severe illness and hospitalizations. With the increase in flu cases comes aggressive media attention intended to inform — not scare — you.

Wreaking havoc on respiratory tracts everywhere, Influenza and Influenza-like Illness (ILI) are some of the main culprits causing ER waiting room backlogs and filling hospitals to beyond capacity. What’s worse is that it is relatively early in the season and we are seeing concomitant outbreaks of other illnesses which can cause GI symptoms, laryngitis, sore throat, and whooping cough.

Before you continue reading, go wash your hands…. If you’ve read my blog before, you know the drill – WARM SOAP AND WATER, SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALL THE WAY THROUGH….TWICE!
OK. You’ve just decreased your chances of getting or spreading the flu. Now, here’s what you need to know to best protect yourself and your family…

What is the flu?

! Influenza and influenza-like illnesses are viral syndromes that cause symptoms such as fever, headache, runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, muscle aches, fatigue and decreased appetite. The viruses can cause illnesses varying in severity from mild to life-threatening. The typical flu season starts in October, peaks in February and fades by May, although flu can be found all year long.

! The flu virus spreads when respiratory droplets caused by coughing or sneezing travel from an infected person to a non-infected person. It can also spread by vectors – for example, wiping your nose with your hand and then shaking hands with another person, or sneezing on your phone which is then used by someone else. The person who received the droplets will become infected if they inhale the droplets or have the viral particles on their hands and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. Transmission can occur even before an infected person has symptoms. If you acquire the virus, you can be contagious from one day before your symptoms start until 5-7 days after your symptoms start.

! The virus is usually self-limiting, which means it will resolve in its own good time. Symptoms can last anywhere from 3-10 days and occasionally can cause residual cough, muscle aches and other symptoms for several weeks. But what’s worrisome is the possibility of developing superinfections – meaning concurrent bacterial infections due to a weakened immune system OR worsening of chronic medical conditions such as asthma, heart failure, diabetes.

Who should (and should not) get vaccinated?

! Each year, a new version of the influenza vaccine is designed to confer immunity against the most prevalent viral strains. Once vaccinated, antibodies begin to develop over the next two weeks. Vaccines come in several different forms – intramuscular injection, intradermal (into the skin) and nasal spray. Talk to you your doc about which type is right for you.

Currently, the CDC recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months receive the vaccine every year. Infants, children, pregnant women, chronically-ill (including those with diabetes, asthma, chronic lung disease, HIV, and those on steroids or chemotherapy), health care personnel and the elderly are demographic groups that are at especially increased risk of developing the flu or similar viral illnesses. Other high risk groups include those living in nursing homes, long term rehabilitation facilities, household contacts of those infected with influenza.

Since the vaccine is made with egg-containing products, anyone with an egg allergy or anyone who has suffered an allergic reaction to the vaccine in the past, should not receive the vaccine. Allergic reaction include hives, tongue or lip swelling, respiratory distress (i.e. shortness of breath or wheezing) or anaphylaxis (shock). Also, anyone who has developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome following flu vaccine should not receive it again. If you have a fever and intend to get vaccinated, you should discuss your symptoms with your primary care doctor prior to receiving the vaccine.

How is the virus treated?

Mild illnesses can be treated symptomatically. That means using medications to treat the symptoms. Acetominophen or ibuprofen for fever, cough suppressants for cough, decongestants for runny nose, analgesic sprays for sore throats. Adequate hydration is particularly important as with most viral illnesses, and especially if you experience vomiting. Avoid close contact with those who are not sick and those who are at high risk if you are experiencing symptoms. And don’t forget – WARM SOAP AND WATER, SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALL THE WAY THROUGH….TWICE!

Antiviral medications can help diminish the severity and shorten the course of the illness if they are initiated no more than 48 hours after the first symptoms present themselves. Initiating the medication as soon as possible may decrease the likelihood of developing complications such are more severe illness. There are two medications which are approved for treatment of flu-like symptoms, but they are only available by prescription.
As always, you should speak with your doctor if you have any concerns. If you are presenting to the ER with a cough, please make sure to wear one of the protective masks to contain the spread of virus to other ill patients. And once again, WARM SOAP AND WATER, SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALL THE WAY THROUGH….TWICE!

* Due to the recent flu surge, local health officials are doing extensive education and vaccination programs.

For more information please see some of the following websites:

Alexis Hugelmeyer, D.O. is the wife of Michael, mother of Isabella, 5, and Lance, 2, and a family physician whose passion is hands-on manipulation for treatment and healing of any and every type of medical problem. She is administrative director of medical education and internship director at Peconic Bay Medical Center and also a private practitioner in Riverhead. A graduate of Villanova University and New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, she lives in Baiting Hollow.

Look for Dr. Mom every Saturday on Riverheadlocal.com

{loadposition tab20}
{loadposition tab1}