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The Facts About The Flu
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The flu season typically hits from October to April. The California Healthcare Association urges that those at highest risk for complications from influenza, including the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, be sure to receive the flu vaccine.
How is the flu spread?
The flu is caused by a virus that spreads from one person to another from coughs and sneezes and from hand-to-hand contact, such as shaking hands. Protect yourself by
- Washing your hands frequently and not touching your eyes, nose, or mouth;
- Eating healthy, well-balanced meals;
- Getting plenty of rest, and
- Drinking at least eight glasses of fluids a day. Stress increases your risk of getting the flu.
Who is at risk?
You are at high risk if you are 65 years or older. Adults of any age who have heart disease, diabetes, or a chronic pulmonary or respiratory health condition also need to get flu shots. Children with asthma are at higher risk and should be vaccinated if they are at least six years old. Flu shots are also recommended for caregivers of the elderly, health care workers and family members with high-risk siblings. Call your doctor, the nurse advice line offered by many HMOs, or the county health department (Contra Costa County (925) 313-6469) if you need help in determining whether you are in a high-risk category.
How can I protect my family and myself?
Flu shots can be 70 to 90 percent effective in healthy adults when flu vaccines match the strain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But, because there are many strains, the flu shot you got last year won't protect you again this year. Get vaccinated and make sure anyone at risk in your family gets a flu shot too. If you have an elderly parent, make sure he or she gets vaccinated. Prevention is always the best medicine.
Will a flu shot give me the flu?
No. This is a common myth. In most people flu shots cause no side effects. Two-thirds of those vaccinated have no soreness; very few experience even mild symptoms. Children who have not been exposed to the influenza virus in the past are more likely to have mild side effects.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
Typical symptoms include fever (usually 100°F to 103°F in adults and often higher in children) and respiratory symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, as well as headache, muscle aches and often extreme fatigue. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can sometimes accompany the flu, especially in children. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms persist. Be sure to tell him or her if you have a respiratory ailment that puts you or your family at higher risk.
What if I don't have a doctor?
If you don't have a doctor, establish a relationship now before you need help. If you need assistance in finding a doctor, call the Physician Referral Service at the Alameda-Contra Costa County Medical Association at (510) 654-5383; or John Muir Health, (925) 941-2244. If you don't have health insurance, contact your local county health department. These sources also may direct you to an urgent care center or other clinics, if needed.
What if I can't reach my doctor?
If you need immediate critical care and your doctor or another physician is not available, go to the nearest hospital emergency department. The most seriously ill or injured patients are treated first in an emergency department. A triage nurse will check your pulse, your temperature and your breathing, and will ask about symptoms and your medical history. If the situation is not life- or limb-threatening, the triage nurse may ask you to wait or direct you to the registration area. If your condition worsens, let the nurse know.
What constitutes a medical emergency?
According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, the warning signs for a medical emergency are breathing difficulty or shortness of breath, chest or upper abdominal pain, fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness or a change in vision, sudden severe pain anywhere in the body, bleeding that won't stop, severe or persistent vomiting, coughing up or vomiting blood, or a change in mental status, such as confusion.
In an emergency, dial 9-1-1. Stay calm and speak slowly. Don't hang up until the dispatcher tells you to, since additional information may be required.