How to combat the Flu

What if you knew that something was about to attack your body to make you feel really, really, awful, and all you could do is lie helpless in your bed, clutching your teddy bear, missing classes and    completely shutting down all social life?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention: “The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.”

Signs and symptoms of flu
• Fever or feeling feverish/chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue (very tired)
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

How flu spreads
• By droplets flying through air when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk.
• By touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes and nose.
• Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick.
Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.

“But why doesn’t my doctor give me an antibiotic?”
Influenza is a virus, which is not treated with antibiotics. Colds, both in your head (sinuses) or chest (bronchitis, pneumonia) can also be caused by viruses. A sore throat can be strep, or can be sore due to post-nasal drip from draining sinuses traveling down the back of your throat. Your doctor can determine what is going on and treat you accordingly.

Best advice is always preventive:
Wash your hands, keep them away from your nose, mouth and eyes, sneeze into your elbow, stay hydrated and rest. Lack of sleep is a great invitation to weaken your immune system!
And most of all:
Prevent seasonal flu: Get vaccinated!!

Is it a COLD or the FLU??
It seems as if everyone says or thinks that they have “the flu” when they don’t feel well, but that is not always the case. There are a myriad of viruses or bacterial infections that can make you feel lousy.

This is a comparison chart of the “common cold” versus the “flu”:
Symptoms                       Flu                              Cold
Cough                          Non-Productive               Productive
Fever                                    Usual                         Not Usual
Chills                                    Usual                         Not Usual
Sore Throat                     Not Usual                         Usual
Stuffy/Runny Nose       Not Usual                         Usual
Body Aches                  Can be Severe                 Not Usual
Headache                            Usual                   With Sinus Pressure
Fatigue                          Can be Severe                      Mild
Sneezing                          Not Usual                         Usual
Onset of Symptoms     Within Hours           Gradual Over Days