This year’s severe flu season is hitting early and hitting hard! At this time last year (a mild flu illness year) there were only 126 reported cases of the flu in Massachusetts, while this year more than 3,500 cases have already been reported.
Getting a flu shot is one way to help you avoid this outbreak. The flu vaccine reduces your odds of getting the flu by 50 – 70%. So, while the vaccine lowers your odds, it is still possible you could get the flu even if you have the vaccine. Since the flu tends to come on quickly, being prepared in advance is a way to help you minimize the unpleasant symptoms.
Q. What should I have on hand in case someone in my family gets the flu?
A. It’s a good idea to have a few supplies on hand because the flu comes on quickly. Consider putting together a flu care kit with the following items:
- a digital thermometer
- drinks such as water, fruit juice and/or sports drinks
- soup
- alcohol based hand sanitizer
- food that is easy to digest such as crackers, oatmeal or rice
- A bottle of non-aspirin medication such as Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen. Be sure to use medicine that is right for the person’s age. (Never give aspirin to children 18 and younger unless recommended by a doctor.)
Q. What are the symptoms of the flu?
A. Symptoms of the flu can include a sudden onset of fever, fatigue, severe muscle and joint aches, a dry cough, headache, sore throat and a runny/stuff nose.
Q. How do I know if I have the flu or just a cold?
A. With the flu you have a fever, whereas with a cold you almost never have a fever. With a cold you have stuffiness in your head, but with the flu, your entire body feels sick.
Q. What should I do if I get the flu?
A. If you get the flu it is important to get plenty of rest and stay hydrated with fluids. Over-the-counter medicines like cough syrup, fever-reducers and pain relievers may help reduce the symptoms.
Q. How do I know if I’m dehydrated?
A. Dehydration happens when you lose more water than you take in. If you have a fever with the flu or additional infection (i.e. Norovirus) that causes diarrhea or vomiting, you can sometimes become dehydrated. Common symptoms of dehydration include feeling thirsty, having a dry mouth, dizziness and urinating less than usual. To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of fluids including not only water, but also fruit juice, soup or broth, sports drinks for adults or an oral rehydration solution such as Pedialyte for kids.
Q. How can I alleviate the symptoms of a stuffy nose, sore throat and cough:
A. To help your nose, throat and cough:
- Use a clean cool-mist humidifier or steam from a hot shower or bath to keep the nose and throat moist
- Try using breathing strips for a blocked nose
- For older children and adults, use a saline spray in the nose
- Gargle with salt water several times a day for sore throat (mix ½ teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water).
Q. Should I call my doctor if I get the flu?
A. Often, the best thing you can do to treat the flu is to get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, practice good hand hygiene, and stay at home and in minimal contact with others. However, you should call your doctor if:
- You have a fever that lasts more than 3 days, or if:
- an infant under three months has a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher
- a child 3 months to 5 years has a fever of 102 degrees or higher
- anyone over 5 years old has a fever or 104 degrees or higher
- You have a fever or cough that goes away for 24 hours or more and then returns
- You have fever with a stiff neck, a very bad headache, a severe sore throat, an earache or a rash
- You are not urinating or your urine is very dark in color
- If you have rusty, brown-colored or bloody mucus coming up when you cough
- You have severe or long-lasting vomiting or diarrhea
- You have difficulty drinking or if an infant cannot nurse or take a bottle
- You have not gotten better after a week
Q. I’ve seen ads for Tamiflu, can I get a prescription if I have the flu?
A. While Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) and other flu antivirals can shorten the duration of flu symptoms by 1 or 2 days, it is not a “magic bullet” or cure for flu and flu symptoms. At Harvard Vanguard, we consider prescribing antiviral agents for patients with severe cases of the flu or those at high risk for complications from the flu. High Risk patients include children 2 years old or younger, adults 65 years or older, persons with underlying chronic conditions (including immunodeficiency), and pregnant woman. Check with your doctor if you have questions about whether you or your family members need an antiviral medication.
If you do get the flu, be aware that flu symptoms can last more than 7 days, and that you should consider yourself contagious until you’ve been without a fever for 24 hours without the assistance of fever-reducing medications.
For more influenza resources, please click here to find information in several different languages from the Massachusetts Department of Health & Human Services (MDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The clinicians in Harvard Vanguard’s Infectious Disease department provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of patients with infectious diseases. With their colleagues in primary care and other specialties, they also work to prevent disease before it occurs though patient education and the appropriate use of antibiotics and vaccines.