The Flu - Don’t Ignore It.
Dr. Bruno’s Original Post: Don’t Ignore Flu Prevention or Flu Symptoms in your Chest
Flu Season: How to Stay Healthy
A Rutgers medical expert explains why flu season is so fierce and how you can protect yourself. Common flu symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea. (The last two are more common in children than adults).
Should people still get vaccinated? It is recommended that people still get the flu vaccination if they have not already. Even though some years it is not as effective as others, the vaccination can reduce symptoms and duration even if people get the flu.
What complications can accompany the flu? “Common symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea. The last two are more common in children than adults. Sinus and ear infections are examples of moderate complications of flu, but a frequent serious complication, particularly in people with chronic lung disease, is pneumonia. In addition to pneumonia, serious complications include inflammation of the heart, brain or muscle tissues, and multi-organ failure, such as respiratory and kidney failure.”
When should you call your doctor? “Call your physician if you have persistent fever, weakness, diarrhea, difficulty breathing or chest pain, persistent muscle or body aches, or if you have an underlying chronic illness like diabetes or heart disease. Elderly people with the flu who experience confusion or weakness likewise require medical attention. If you are in good underlying health, your symptoms are limited, fever and body aches are well controlled with antipyretics like acetaminophen and you are maintaining adequate hydration and nutrition, you can choose to ride it out. However, when sick and in doubt, it is always reasonable to call and seek medical attention.”
Who is most vulnerable to the flu? “While children and people over 65 are most vulnerable, the flu can have complications or be fatal to people of all ages.” “Fortunately, with vaccination, many people can be spared the misery associated with this disease, and vaccination is recommended for all ages.”