Sponsored by E-Care Emergency Centers
By Dr. Josh Prickett, M.D., Medical Director of North Tarrant E-Care Emergency Centers
Asbrfamilies in Southlake kick off the New Year, many will find an unwelcome guestbrin their midst – the flu. December through February is considered “prime time”brfor seasonal influenza and there have already been 21 flu-related deathsbrreported in North Texas. Fortunately, local physicians, urgent care centers andbrSouthlake schools have been making preparations to help your family avoid thebrflu.
Preventive Measures
Accordingbrto Karen Flexer, head nurse with at Carroll Senior High, the school districtbrsponsored its annual flu shot clinic back in late October to get a jump on flubrseason. Southlake Carroll schools usebrposters to remind teachers and students about correct hand washing and the usebrof hand sanitizer.
Doctorsbragree that getting immunized against the flu seems to be the best way to staybrwell. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), even if the flu hasbrbeen active among the local population already this season, immunization will providebrprotection. January or February may be the most active times for influenzabroutbreaks, but flu season can extend as late as May.
Currently,brthe CDC shows widespread influenza-like illness in Texas, specificallybridentifying influenza A (H1N1) and influenza B. The CDC offers an interactivebrmap showing the spread of flu cases in the U.S. on the FluView. Thebrmost common flu strain beingbrtreated in North Texas is H1N1, according to thebrDenton County Health Department, and this strain has been linked the flu deaths inbrour area.
Do You Have a Cold or Flu?
When illnesses begin to spread during thisbrtype of year in Southlake, it is sometimes difficult to tell if the culprit isbrinfluenza or the “common cold”. All are respiratory illnesses, which are causedbrby different viruses. Many of the symptoms reported can seem similar. Resistbrhasty self-diagnosis, however, as it’s best to see a physician who canbraccurately diagnose the cause of your illness. Typically, the flu is consideredbrmore serious than a cold.
Here’sbra breakdown of typical symptoms possible:
Influenza
- Headache and Muscle Aches
- Fever and Chills
- Dry Cough
- Extreme Exhaustion
- Sneezing or Nasal Congestion
- Occasional Diarrhea
- Children may experience a high fever upbr to 104F, often accompanied by vomiting and stomach pain.
- Symptoms come on suddenly and last 7-10br days, but the dry cough and fatigue may linger. Patients are typicallybr contagious for 5-7 days after symptoms appear.
Common Cold
- Congestion
- Sore Throat
- Sneezing and Runny Nose
- Mild Fatigue
- Symptoms develop over 1-4 days afterbr infection, and usually peak for about three days. Congestion may lingerbr for a week or more.
Itbris important to visit a physician or urgent care clinic immediatelyafter developing flu-like symptoms. If the doctor can diagnose influenza earlybr– usually within the first 48 hours – antiviral medications may be givenbrprescribed to help shorten the length and lessen the severity of the flu. Askbryour doctor if antiviral meds are right for you.
Thosebrbenefits can be especially important for patients in the “high-risk” categories: those age 65 or older and people withbrchronic health problems such asthma, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, andbrHIV/AIDS. These patients are at risk for seriousbrcomplications from the flu, such as pneumonia.
Bybrfollowing your doctor’s recommendations for immunization against the flu andbrtaking preventative health measures at home, work and school, Southlakebrfamilies will be more likely to enjoy a healthy and happy year in 2014.
For more information about the flu, visit the E-Care Emergency Center blog.
Josh Prickett, MD, is currently medical director for North Tarrant location of E-Care Emergency Center in North Richland Hills. Dr. Prickett graduated from the University of Oklahoma Medical School and has been practicing emergency care in Oklahoma, Minnesota and Texas since 1989. He has been married to his wife Carin for 29 years. They have a son Jonathan, a daughter Whitney, and a son-in-law John. Dr. Prickett and his family are active at Gateway Church in Southlake and love being a part of the Southlake community.