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By Dr. Erick Benzick MD, FAAP
To better help you and your family cope with seasonal health topics I do my best to anticipate the coming seasons and educate you on how to prepare before its too late. Over the past several years in Southlake, my health colleagues and I are usually “digging in the trenches” in February trying to make our patients comfortable from the “Flu”. I thought a brief review of the Flu would help better prepare everyone on how to deal with this germ.
The Flu is short for Influenza, a respiratory illness that can present with a wide variation of symptoms. It usually comes on suddenly and may include high fever, headache, fatigue, sore throat, dry cough, runny nose, muscle aches, and occasionally vomiting and diarrhea. The Flu should not be taken lightly, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 36,000 people die from Influenza, and more that 200,000 people are admitted to hospitals each year. Anyone can be infected, but people over 65, young children, and people with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, and certain heart conditions are more susceptible to serious complications such as sinus infections, asthma attacks, and pneumonia.
During the past two decades, in the United States, flu typically has occurred between November and April with peaks during January and February. It is spread by contact with secretions from an infected person. Typically, a cough or sneeze creates droplets that are deposited around the eyes, mouth, or nose of someone nearby. It may also be spread by touching surfaces that have droplets infected with the flu germ and then touching your own eyes, nose, or mouth. Therefore, it is extremely important to wash your hands frequently during this time, and avoid anyone who acts like they may have the flu.
If you do manage to contract the flu, take the appropriate actions to get plenty of rest and liquids immediately. It is also very important to contact your healthcare provider’s office to be properly tested and diagnosed. If you do contract the flu there are antiviral medications that may help treat you, but these must be started within 48 hours of the illness. In addition, your provider may want to start treatment on other members of your family to minimize their chances of contracting the illness. For children and teenagers, it is very important to not take aspirin during this time as it may cause a rare but serous illness known as Reye Syndrome.
Washing your hands often helps, but the very best way to prevent the flu is to be vaccinated. Although we may be in the peak of flu season by the time you read this, it may still be beneficial to get a flu vaccine, especially if you are high risk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits still available during this season.
Remember that flu strains change from year to year, it follows that vaccines from the past may not benefit the current circulating strains. Although the strains in the community may not be identical to those in the current vaccine, it is still possible the vaccination can reduce your chances of serious illness.
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