Thursday, December 20, 2012

Treatment for the Flu

Treatment

If you have been diagnosed with the flu, you should stay home and follow your health care provider’s recommendations. Talk to your health care provider or pharmacist about over-the-counter and prescription medications to ease flu symptoms and help you feel better faster.

You can treat flu symptoms with and without medication.
Over-the-counter medications may relieve some flu symptoms but will not make you less contagious.
Your health care provider may prescribe antiviral medications to make your illness milder and prevent serious complications.
Your health care provider may prescribe antibiotics if your flu has progressed to a bacterial infection.

Are there ways to treat the flu or its symptoms without medication?

You can treat flu symptoms without medication by:

Getting plenty of rest
Drinking clear fluids like water, broth, sports drinks, or electrolyte beverages to prevent becoming dehydrated
Placing a cool, damp washcloth on your forehead, arms, and legs to reduce discomfort associated with a fever
Putting a humidifier in your room to make breathing easier
Gargling salt water (1:1 ratio warm water to salt) to soothe a sore throat
Covering up with a warm blanket to calm chills

How can I treat congestion?

Decongestants can ease discomfort from stuffy noses, sinuses, ears, and chests. Talk to your health care provider or pharmacist about which kind is right for you.

How can I treat coughing and sore throat?

Cough medicine, cough drops, and throat lozenges can temporarily relieve coughing and sore throat. Talk to your health care provider or pharmacist about which kind is right for you.

How can I reduce fevers and discomfort?

Fevers and aches can be treated with a pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®, for example), ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, Nuprin®), or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) (Aleve®).If you have kidney disease or stomach problems, check with your health care provider before taking any NSAIDS.

Is it safe to take flu medications with other over-the-counter or prescription medicines?

Many over-the-counter medications contain the same active ingredients. If you take several medicines with the same active ingredient you might be taking more than the recommended dose. This can cause serious health problems. Read all labels carefully.
If you are taking over-the-counter or prescription medications not related to the flu, talk to your health care provider or pharmacist about which cold and flu medications are safe for you.

What are antiviral medications and how can they help?

Antiviral medications are prescription pills, liquids, or inhalers used to prevent or treat flu viruses. They are approved for adults and children one year and older. There are four antiviral drugs approved for treating the flu in the United States—oseltamivir (Tamiflu), zanamivir (Relenza), amantadine (generic), and rimantadine (Flumadine).
If you get the flu, antiviral medications can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious complications from the flu. Antiviral medications work best when started within the first two days of getting sick.
If you are exposed to the flu, antiviral medication can prevent you from becoming sick. Talk to your health care provider if you have been or may be near a person with the flu.

Do I need antibiotics?

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. They are not effective against viral infections like the flu. Some people have bacterial infections along with or caused by the flu and will need to take antibiotics. Severe or prolonged illness or illness that seems to get better but then gets worse may be a sign of bacterial infection. Contact your health care provider if you think you need antibiotics.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Be Prepared to Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter

Although winter comes as no surprise, many of us are not ready for its arrival. If you are prepared for the hazards of winter, you will be more likely to stay safe and healthy when temperatures start to fall.
Many people prefer to remain indoors in the winter, but staying inside is no guarantee of safety. Take these steps to prepare your home to stay safe and warm during the winter months.

Winterize your home.
- Install weather stripping, insulation, and storm windows.
- Insulate water lines that run along exterior walls.
- Clean out gutters and repair roof leaks.
Check your heating systems.
- Have your heating system serviced professionally to make sure that it is clean, working properly and ventilated to the outside.
- Inspect and clean fireplaces and chimneys.
- Install a smoke detector. Test batteries monthly.
- Have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuels available.
- Prevent carbon monoxide (CO) emergencies.
  - Install a CO detector to alert you of the presence of the deadly, odorless, colorless gas.
  - Learn symptoms of CO poisoning: headaches, nausea, and disorientation.
  - Keep grills and generators out of the house and garage. Position generators at least 20 feet from the house.
Be prepared for weather-related emergencies, including power outages.
- Stock food that needs no cooking or refrigeration and water stored in clean containers.
- Keep an up-to-date emergency kit, including:
  - battery-operated devices, such as a flashlight, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio, and lamps;
  - extra batteries;
  - first-aid kit and extra medicine;
  - baby items; and
  - cat litter or sand for icy walkways.

Many people spend time outdoors in the winter working, traveling, or enjoying winter sports. Outdoor activities can expose you to several safety hazards, but you can take these steps to prepare for them:

Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: layers of light, warm clothing; mittens; hats; scarves; and waterproof boots.
Sprinkle cat litter or sand on icy patches.
Learn safety precautions to follow when outdoors.
- Be aware of the wind chill factor.
- Work slowly when doing outside chores.
- Take a buddy and an emergency kit when you are participating in outdoor recreation.
- Avoid traveling when the weather service has issued advisories.
- If you must travel, inform a friend or relative of your proposed route and expected time of arrival.
- Carry a cell phone.
Prepare your car for winter.
- Service the radiator and maintain antifreeze level; check tire tread or, if necessary, replace tires with all-weather or snow tires
- Keep gas tank full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
- Use a wintertime formula in your windshield washer.
- Keep a winter emergency kit in your car in case you become stranded. Include
  - blankets;
  - food and water;
  - booster cables, flares, tire pump, and a bag of sand or cat litter (for traction);
  - compass and maps;
  - flashlight, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries;
  - first-aid kit; and
  - plastic bags (for sanitation).
- Learn safety rules to follow in case you become stranded in your car.
  - Stay with your car unless safety is no more than 100 yards away, but continue to move arms and legs.
  - Stay visible by putting bright cloth on the antenna, turning on the inside overhead light (when engine is running), and raising the hood when snow stops falling.
  - Run the engine and heater only 10 minutes every hour.
  - Keep a downwind window open.
  - Make sure the tailpipe is not blocked.

Above all, be prepared to check on family and neighbors who are especially at risk from cold weather hazards: young children, older adults, and the chronically ill. If you have pets, bring them inside. If you cannot bring them inside, provide adequate, warm shelter and unfrozen water to drink.
No one can stop the onset of winter. However, if you follow these suggestions, you will be ready for it when it comes.

Content from CDC

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Vaccination & Vaccine Safety

Everyone 6 months of age and older should get the flu vaccine. Seasonal flu vaccines have a very good safety track record.

The flu vaccine is available by shot or nasal spray.
Get your flu shot or spray as soon as the vaccine is available in your area.
It is especially important to get the vaccine if you, someone you live with, or someone you care for is at high risk of complications from the flu.
Mild reactions such as soreness, headaches, and fever are common side effects of the flu vaccine.
If you experience a severe reaction such as difficulty breathing, hives, or facial swelling, seek medical attention immediately.

Where can I get the vaccine?

Use the Flu Vaccine Finder below to find a flu vaccine location near you this flu season. The 2012-2013 vaccine is now available.

What does the 2012-2013 flu vaccine protect against?

Flu vaccines are designed to protect against three flu viruses that experts predict will be the most common during the upcoming season. Each year, one flu virus of each kind is used to produce the seasonal flu vaccine.
The 2012-2013 flu vaccine is made from the following three viruses:

A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus
A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like virus
B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like virus

The 2012-2013 flu vaccine will not protect against the H3N2v flu, associated with exposure to swine, which resulted in more than 300 flu cases in 2011 and 2012.

When should I get the vaccine?

Get the vaccine as soon as it is available in your area. Flu season usually peaks in January or February, but it can occur as late as May. Early immunization is the most effective, but it is not too late to get the vaccine in December, January, or beyond.

How should I get the vaccine?

There are two types of vaccine, the flu shot and the nasal spray. Both protect against the same virus strains.
The flu shot is:

Made with inactivated (killed) flu virus
Given by needle
Approved for use in healthy people older than 6 months and people with chronic health conditions
Available in 3 types:
- Regular, for people 6 months and older
- High-dose, for people 65 and older. This type contains a higher dose vaccine, which may lead to greater protection against the flu.
- Intradermal, for people 18-64. This type of shot is given with a needle 90% smaller than a regular flu shot and injected in your skin.

The nasal spray is:

Made with weakened live flu virus
Given with a mist sprayed in your nose
Approved for healthy people between the ages of 2 and 49, except pregnant women

How long is my flu vaccination good for?

The flu vaccine will protect you for one flu season.

How do flu vaccines work?

Flu vaccines (the flu shot and nasal spray) cause antibodies to develop in the body. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine.

Does the flu vaccine work right away?

It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection. In the meantime, you are still at risk for getting the flu. That's why it's better to get vaccinated early in the fall, before the flu season really gets under way.

Is the vaccine safe?

Seasonal flu vaccines have a very good safety track record. Although there are possible side-effects to vaccination, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration closely monitor the safety of seasonal flu vaccines.

Should I get the flu vaccine if I’m not feeling well?

If you are sick with a fever, you should wait until your fever is gone before getting a flu shot. However, you can get a flu shot if you have a respiratory illness without a fever, or if you have another mild illness.
The nasal-spray flu vaccine can be given to people with minor illnesses, such as:

diarrhea
a mild upper respiratory tract infection, with or without a fever.

If you have nasal congestion, you should consider waiting to get the nasal-spray flu vaccine. Nasal congestion may limit the vaccine's ability to reach the nasal lining.

Are there side effects?

Mild side effects usually begin soon after you get the vaccine and last one to two days. Possible mild side effects of the flu shot include:

Soreness, redness, and swelling at the injection site
Fainting, mainly in adolescents
Headaches
Fever
Nausea

Possible mild side effects of the nasal spray include:

Runny nose
Wheezing
Headache
Vomiting
Muscle aches
Fever

Serious side effects usually begin within a few minutes to a few hours after receiving the shot. Possible serious side effects of vaccination include:

Difficulty breathing
Hoarseness
Swelling around the eyes or lips
Hives
Paleness
Weakness
Racing heart
Dizziness
Behavior changes
High fever

If you experience any of these reactions, seek medical attention immediately.

How can I report a serious reaction to the vaccine?

Contact your health care provider immediately if you have a serious reaction to the flu vaccine. Your health care provider should report your reaction to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). You can also file a report yourself. All serious reactions should be reported, even if you aren’t sure it was caused by the flu vaccine. VAERS uses this data to help identify serious reactions that may need further investigation.
If your reaction results in a serious injury, you may qualify for compensation from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). VICP provides compensation for vaccine-related injury or death claims for covered vaccines given on or after October 1, 1988.

Can I get the flu from the vaccine?

No, you cannot get the flu from the flu shot or the nasal spray. The flu shot contains inactivated (killed) flu viruses that cannot cause illness. The nasal spray contains weakened live viruses. The weakened viruses only cause infection in the cooler temperatures found in the nose. The viruses cannot infect the lungs or other areas in the body where warmer temperatures exist.

Will I need to pay for the vaccine?

Most health insurance plans cover the cost of vaccines, but you should check with your insurance company before visiting your health care provider. Under the Affordable Care Act, many insurers are required to cover certain preventive services, like the flu vaccine, at no cost to you.
If you do not have insurance or if it does not cover vaccines, help is available.

Is there anyone who should not get the vaccine?

Talk to your health care provider about vaccination if you have:

A severe allergy to chicken eggs
A history of severe reaction to a flu vaccination
A moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (you should wait until you are better to get the vaccine)
A history of Guillain–Barré Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness, also called GBS)

Content from Flu.gov

Monday, December 3, 2012

Seasonal Flu - FAQ

Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. Approximately 5-20% of U.S. residents get the flu each year.

Flu season typically peaks in January or February.
Getting the flu vaccine is your best protection against the flu.
Flu-related complications include pneumonia and dehydration.
Illness from seasonal flu usually lasts one to two weeks.

What is the seasonal flu?

Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It spreads between people and can cause mild to severe illness. In some cases, the flu can lead to death.

When is flu season?

In the United States, flu season occurs in the fall and winter. Seasonal flu activity usually peaks in January or February, but it can occur as early as October and as late as May.

How does seasonal flu spread?

Most experts believe that you get the flu when a person with the flu coughs, sneezes, or talks and droplets containing their germs land in your mouth or nose. You can also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then touching your mouth, eyes, or nose.

Who is at risk?

Some groups are more likely to experience complications from the seasonal flu, including:

Seniors (those age 65 and older)
Children (especially those younger than 2)
People with chronic health conditions

How can I protect myself from seasonal flu?

Get the flu vaccine as soon as it is available in your area. The 2012-2013 vaccine is now available. You should also follow our everyday steps to keep yourself healthy.

What are common complications from the seasonal flu?

Complications from the flu include:

Bacterial pneumonia
Ear or sinus infections
Dehydration
Worsening of chronic health conditions

Each year approximately 5-20% of U.S. residents get the flu and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized for flu-related complications.

How long does the illness last?

Most people who get the flu feel much better within one or two weeks.

How long am I contagious?

Most healthy adults can infect others one day before symptoms develop and five to seven days after symptoms appear. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be contagious for a longer period.

How many times can a person become infected with the seasonal flu?

You are unlikely to get infected with the same exact strain of flu more than once. It is possible to be infected with flu virus more than once in a season, though, because several different strains of flu virus circulate each year. Exposure to a particular strain of flu virus may help protect you against that strain in the future. But it will not protect you from infection with other flu virus strains.

Is the stomach flu really the flu?

Many people use “stomach flu” to describe illness with nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Many different viruses, bacteria, or parasites can cause these symptoms. While the flu can sometimes cause vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea—more commonly in children than adults — these problems are rarely the main symptoms of the flu. The flu is a respiratory disease and not a stomach or intestinal disease.

Who monitors seasonal flu activity?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tracks flu activity in the United States year round and produces a weekly report of flu activity from October through mid-May.