Flu

Overview

That achey, stuffy, sniffly feeling

The flu has many of the same symptoms as the common cold, and at first you may think you just have a bad cold. But the flu strikes suddenly and brings with it more severe symptoms, including fevers higher than 103°F.

The virus that causes the flu is very self-sufficient. It can live outside the body for up to three days. You can pick it up from virtually anything you touch, be it a doorknob, book, or countertop. But you won't "catch" the flu unless the virus finds its way into the body via the eyes, nose, or mouth — so wash your hands frequently to reduce the likelihood of this happening. Luckily, there is a vaccine and the yearly shot is the best way to avoid getting sick. A recent study found it to be nearly 90% effective in preventing the illness. Despite all the counsel and lore to be had on flu — from lemon tea to garlic tonics — if you do get it, the flu generally needs to run its course. For most people, the fastest road to recovery is good old rest and relaxation.

Detailed Description

There are three different types of flu:

• Type A: the most common
• Type B: like Type A, it circulates every year, but tends to be weaker
• Type C: the least serious and least common (it comes around every two to three years)

Types A and B are mutating viruses, meaning they change slightly from year to year. Scientists develop new vaccines each fall to combat what they believe will be the most widespread version the following winter. That's why last year's shot won't protect you this year.

Flu season in the United States runs roughly from fall through winter with its peak being December to March. Influenza is so contagious that it can spread through a community in less than a month infecting up to 40% of people living or working within that community.

The flu is more serious than the common cold partly because it can bring on secondary bacterial infections like pneumonia, bronchitis, and acute sinus and middle-ear infections. If you are sick for more than a week, see your doctor. He or she can prescribe antibiotics to treat any bacterial infection you may have developed (but don't ask for antibiotics to treat the flu — they're powerless against viral infections).

How Common Is the Flu?

Very common — there are 25 to 50 million cases each year in the United States. Children, who are more susceptible than adults, have annual infection rates of 10% to 40%. While it's rarely lethal in young, healthy people the flu can be deadly — 20,000 people die due to it each year. Most deaths happen to people over 75. That's why the flu shot is routinely recommended for everyone over the age of 65. (As well as younger adults with chronic heart or lung problems).

What You Can Expect

Left untreated, the flu will typically lay you low for about a week. And you'll probably feel weak for another several days.

Conventional Treatment

Goals of Treatment

There is no cure for the flu, so it's best to try and avoid getting sick in the first place. Eat right, exercise, wash your hands frequently, and, if possible, steer clear of anyone who has the flu. Adults are only contagious for three to five days, but kids can remain contagious for up to 10 days. The best insurance policy is the annual vaccination. It's nearly 90% effective in preventing the illness. Vaccines are available from late October to early January.

The virus generally takes its course whether it is treated or not. Over-the-counter medications won't help you recover any faster, but they will make you feel better in the meantime. Try gargling with double-strength tea or salt water to ease a sore throat. If you still feel lousy after a week, call your doctor.

Drug Therapy

Antivirals
Symmetrel
Relenza
Tamiflu
Antibiotics
Antibiotics only treat bacterial complications — like bacterial pneumonia or bacterial sinus infections — not the primary viral infection such as the flu itself. But these infections can be brought on by a bad case of the flu.
Other
Ibuprofen

Monitoring the Condition

No follow-up is necessary if you're feeling better after a week to 10 days. And remember it's normal to tire easily in the week after you've recovered, so, if possible, you may want to continue to take it easy. If complications such as a bacterial sinus infection develop, you may need to take a course of antibiotics, in which case you probably won't be back to your old self for three to six weeks.

Possible Complications

• Bacterial infections of the sinuses, ears, or lungs
• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis
• Reye's syndrome (only in children under the age of 18)
• Croup
• Death

Activity and Diet Restrictions

The only good thing about the flu is it's a perfect excuse to stay in bed. Your body needs to focus all its energy on ridding itself of the virus, so relaxation, especially if you have a fever, seems to be the best medicine. Drink plenty of extra fluids such as fruit juice, tea, broth, or water. These can also help make the mucus in the lungs thinner and easier to cough up.

Quality of Life

Everyone gets sick with the flu from time to time — it's inevitable. But if you have a history of coming down with a particularly nasty bug every year, you should strongly consider getting an annual flu vaccine.

Considerations for Women

Pregnancy

Any healthy women who will be in her second or third trimester of pregnancy during flu season should ask her doctor about getting a flu shot. And if she is in a high-risk category for complications from the flu — such as a woman with asthma or in general poor health — she should probably get the vaccine regardless of what trimester she'll be in.

If your doctor prescribes an antiviral, make sure he or she knows you're pregnant.

Considerations for Children and Adolescents

The Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccines that children receive in three to four doses before age 15 months provide no protection against the flu. Hib is a bacteria that can cause serious illnesses such as meningitis and is completely different from the influenza virus.

Do not give any child aspirin or aspirin-containing products. Aspirin can cause Reye's syndrome, a rare but often fatal complication, in children and teenagers.

Considerations for Older People

Immunizations are recommended for anyone over age 65. It can be extremely difficult for older people to recover from any complication brought on by influenza. So keep a close eye on older people who have the flu.