Should I Be Worried About the Flu?

Flu (influenza) is caused by a virus that infects the nose, throat and lungs. Although a cold can cause the same symptoms, the flu is much more severe and can even cause life-threatening problems in some people.

What are the symptoms?

Flu is a respiratory illness and can include the following symptoms.

• Fever (usually 101 degrees or higher)
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Extreme tiredness
• Sore throat
• Dry cough
• Runny or stuffy nose

When is the flu season?

In the United States, flu most often occurs between December and March.

How does the flu spread?

Most of the time flu is spread from person to person through droplets from coughing and sneezing. These droplets can travel about 3 feet through the air and be deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. Flu also can be spread from the hands to the mouth or nose after touching objects with the virus.

How soon will I get sick if I am exposed to the flu?

Symptoms begin one to four days after exposure, with an average time of two days.

How can I treat the flu?

• Rest
• Drink plenty of liquids (clear liquids are best)
• Avoid alcohol and smoking
• Take over-the-counter medications that your doctor advises to treat symptoms
• Ask about medications that can help decrease the severity of symptoms.

Is there a way to prevent getting the flu?

• Get a flu shot or flu mist every year unless you have an egg allergy.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. The flu is contagious for one to five days.
• If you are sick, stay home and rest to avoid becoming more ill.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash your hands well with soap, hot water and alcohol wipes or gel. Remember, that good hand washing helps to stop the spread of all germs.
• Avoid touching your face after touching any other objects. (Studies show the virus can survive from two to eight hours.)
• Some medications are used to prevent the flu, so ask your doctor.

What is Bird Flu?

Bird flu, also called Avian flu or H5N1, is an infection of wild birds. The virus that causes it has the ability to infect all birds throughout the world. The bird flu virus can be passed from an infected bird to humans through bird secretions or excretions. The good news is that human infection is very rare and infection from a sick person to other people seems to be limited.

No person in the United States has been sick from the Bird flu to date.

The government is making plans to avoid a widespread flu epidemic now, even though there is no evidence that it will ever become a major problem. Early detection of the virus in other areas of the world, development of new vaccines and medicines that will help, and teamwork with our community healthcare providers will all help to avoid widespread bird flu in the United States if the virus infects people in this country.

The following is infection prevention for travelers to areas that have Bird flu.

• Avoid contact with all birds, especially sick birds, in areas such as China.
• Make sure all poultry meat is well cooked.
• Wash hands well after contact with birds or raw bird meat.
• If you become ill, seek healthcare quickly.

Talk to your doctor immediately if you experience any of the above mentioned symptoms or to obtain additional information. To make an appointment with a physician, call toll-free 1.877.UT.CARES (1.877.882.2737).

Read more about 6 ways to prevent the flu.

Source: Center for Disease Control 2005

2/8/2006