The Ins and Outs of Influenza

Influenza, which most of us know as the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness that affects millions of people every year. I can tell you from experience getting the flu is miserable. I seriously would get two flu shots if I could. The flu season started a little late, but it is wreaking havoc on campuses across the country.

Prevention: The Best Defense Against the Flu

• Get Vaccinated : I cannot stress this enough!

  • The annual flu vaccine is your first and most effective line of defense. Even if it does not prevent you from getting the flu, it makes symptoms more manageable and decreases your risk of hospitalization by 60%.

  • It's not too late to get vaccinated; most local pharmacies offer the vaccine.

• Practice Good Hygiene

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

  • Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap isn’t available.

  • Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.

  • This is not the season to share water bottles or any other bottles for that matter.

• Disinfect Surfaces (think about frequently touched items)

  • Doorknobs

  • Lightswitches

  • Keyboards

  • Smartphones

• Limit Exposure

  • Avoid close contact with sick individuals. I know that sounds obvious, but I can't tell how many patients I see who have been lying in bed with sick friends.

  • Stay home if you’re feeling unwell. Let's be honest it's not fun to socialize when you're feeling sick.

• Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

  • Get enough sleep, stay active, and try to eat a balanced diet to strengthen your immune system.

  • It's true that if you are run down, you are more likely to get sick.

Recognizing Flu Symptoms

Flu symptoms typically appear suddenly and can include:

• Fever or chills

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Muscle or body aches

• Headaches

• Fatigue

• Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children)

While some symptoms overlap with the common cold, the flu is more severe and usually accompanied by a high fever and significant fatigue.

Treatment: Steps to Recovery

1. Rest and Hydrate

   • Get plenty of rest to help your body recover. Pushing yourself often prolongs the illness.

   • Stay hydrated ideally with fluids that have some calories; being dehydrated and having low blood sugar will make you feel worse.

2. Over-the-Counter Medications

   • Use medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce fever and alleviate pain.

     • Tylenol is the brand name for acetaminophen.

     • Motrin is the brand name for ibuprofen.

3. Antiviral Medications

   • Prescription antiviral drugs, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

   • Tamiflu is not an antibiotic and does not cure influenza, but it can shorten the duration of the symptoms if taken within 48 hours of becoming sick.

   • Tamiflu, like all medications, has side effects and may not be appropriate for everyone.

4. When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

   • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

   • Persistent chest pain

   • Severe weakness or confusion

   • High fever lasting more than 5-7 days

   • Symptoms that improve but then return

Protecting Others

If you do catch the flu, take steps to prevent spreading it to others:

• Stay home until you’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours without using acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

• Ask for a doctor's note if you need to miss class.

• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

• Wear a mask if you need to be around others while symptomatic.

Stay smart, stay healthy, and don’t let the flu slow you down this semester!