When I want to get the most up to date information about flu, I go to the CDC’s website (www.cdc.gov). There you will find information about the flu and flu vaccine as well as ways to prevent spread of the flu. They update the information about flu continually during the season and provide resources for work, school and home about influenza.

The main symptoms of influenza infection are: high fever (more than 101 generally), body aches, and cough. Some flu strains also cause stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, but not always. Patients with true influenza infection have malaise (feel really bad) and will stay sick for 5-7 days. It is advisable to go to the doctor for flu like symptoms, particularly if the patient is less than 5 years old, has asthma or other chronic illness, or is pregnant.

Treatment for the flu is generally just to treat the symptoms: Tylenol or ibuprofen for the fever, give plenty of fluids and rest. Anti-viral medications may shorten the course by 1-2 days and are usually only given for high-risk patients. It is important to know that aspirin should never be given for influenza. Rarely, aspirin in combination with influenza can cause Reye’s syndrome.
Prevention is the key to avoiding influenza. Here are some tips that I find to be the most important:

Step 1: The Flu vaccine is the most important step in fighting the flu. This year’s 2011 vaccine contains antigens for three flu strains: flu A H1N1, flu A H3N2, and flu B. It is available in injection and nasal mist forms. Some most frequently asked questions are:
Can you get the flu from the flu shot? No! The flu vaccine is made up of components of the flu virus and these cannot infect you. Rather, they cause the body to form an immune response so that when the real virus is encountered, the body is ready to fight it off.
What are the side effects from the vaccine? Usually only soreness at the injection site and low grade temp for a day or two are the only effects noted. Rarely an allergic reaction can occur. Do I have to take the flu vaccine every year? Yes, because the shot is different every year, it must be taken every year.

Step 2: Wash your hands! Wash frequently and teach your children to do so as well. Hand sanitizer can substitute in a pinch, but nothing beats good old soap and water. Remember lather front, back and in between fingers. Send soap, hand sanitizer and tissues to your child’s school. They always need these supplies and that lets you know there will be plenty for the whole class.

Step 3: Cover your cough! Preferably with a tissue, then throw it away and wash up. When tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your elbow. This keeps the germs off your hands and makes it less likely that you will spread germs to others. Teach your kids to do the same.

Did you know that the primary way that influenza virus spreads is through droplets released into the air from coughs or sneezes? Stop those germs by covering up.

Step 4: Avoid touching your face - especially the mouth, eyes, and nose. This is one of the ways the virus gets into the body.

Step 5: Stay home and keep children home when running a fever or when diagnosed with the flu. I hear parents say all the time, “I just gave a fever reducer and when the fever went away, I sent them on to school.” It is tempting to do this when we know we will be missing work and school, but staying home is an important thing to do. The flu is most contagious while you are running a fever.
Usually one should stay home until fever free for 24 hours (while off fever reducers like Tylenol and Motrin).

I hope that you will stay well this flu season and have a happy, healthy 2012!