Sponsored Article
By Jeffrey Peebles, M.D. – Southlake MedicalbrDirector, CompletebrCare
Most people are able tobrfight through the flu at home with rest and over-the-counter medications.brHowever, there are some instances where symptoms become so severe that a tripbrto the doctor becomes necessary. Here are some ways to tell whether you be ablebrto take care of the flu on your own or you will need to visit your nearest Complete Care medical facility.
Home Treatment
You probably already knowbrhow the game works when you have the flu. Symptoms usually last for around abrweek and can be treated at home with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, which canbrreduce fever. Decongestants and antihistamines can also help reduce congestion.brAnd, of course, you need to get as much rest as you possibly can.
When to Get Help
Some people with the flu,brhowever, can experience very serious symptoms that require medical attention.brThese are some of the signs that your body will not be able to fight off thebrflu without help.
· brSevere vomiting
· brLightheadednessbror dizziness
· brStomach or chestbrpain
· brTroublebrbreathing
While these signs are thebrsame no matter how young or old you may be, you need to carefully watchbrchildren for any of the following and get emergency medical help.
· brThe child isbrunable to wake up or interact with you or others
· brHis or her skinbror lips have a bluish appearance
· brHe or she has abrrash accompanied by a high fever
Whether the person sufferingbrfrom the flu is a child or an adult, medical help will be needed for a feverbrthat reaches 102 degrees or higher.
Other Reasons to Get Medical Help
Dehydration can be a verybrtroubling symptom of the flu. Not only will you feel thirsty, you may havebrdifficulty keeping down fluids. You may also urinate less than normal. If youbrfind that drinking more does not help you retain fluids, you may needbrintravenous fluids.
You should also considerbrseeing a doctor if you start feeling better but your symptoms return –brespecially if your cough or fever are worse than before. Also, if you arebrelderly, pregnant or have a compromised immune system due to another conditionbrsuch as cancer, diabetes or asthma, you need to get help as soon as you can.brPeople who have these conditions are at a particularly high risk ofbrcomplications due to the flu.
If you or someone in your home has a severe case ofbrthe flu or you ever experience any kind of medical emergency, get in touch withbrthe experts at Complete Care. Contact us online to learnbrmore.
Dr. Jeffrey Peebles, M.D. has an extensive amount ofbrexperience in delivering advanced emergency care. He is board certified withbrthe American Board of Emergency Medicine, and a member of the American Collegebrof Emergency Physicians/Texas College of Emergency Physicians. Dr. Peebles isbrcommitted to providing timely, affordable and high-quality medical care to thebrSouthlake community.