If you get the flu

Influenza (commonly called the “flu”) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. The Dare County Department of Public Health offers these steps to take in the event that someone may become sick with the flu. Influenza usually starts suddenly. Having symptoms does not always mean that you have the flu. Many different illnesses, including the common cold, can have similar symptoms.

It is very difficult to distinguish the flu from other infections on the basis of symptoms alone. The flu can cause mild to severe illness and at times lead to death. Although most healthy people recover from the flu without complications, older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), are at high risk for serious complications from the flu.

If you develop flu-like symptoms and are concerned about your illness, especially if you are at high risk for complications of the flu, you should consult your healthcare provider. You should stay home and avoid contact with other people, except to get medical care. Most people with the flu have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs.

Please be aware of the following emergency warning signs:

In children

• Headache

• Tiredness (can be extreme)

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Body aches

• Chills

• Diarrhea and vomiting (more common among children than adults)

Fever (usually high)• Bluish skin color

• Not drinking enough fluids

• Grogginess/drowsiness, lack of energy

• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

• Fever with a rash

Fast breathing or trouble breathingIn addition to the signs above, get medical help right away for any infant who has any of these signs:

• Trouble breathing

• No tears when crying

• Significantly fewer wet diapers than normal

Unable to eatIn adults

• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

• Sudden dizziness

• Confusion

• Severe or persistent vomiting

• Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breathThe emergency room should only be used for people who are very sick. You should not go to the emergency room if you are only mildly ill. If you get sick with flu symptoms and are at high risk of flu complications or you are concerned about your illness, call your health care provider for advice.

“The Center for Disease Control recommends that you stay home, except to receive medical care, for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. Your fever should be absent without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol. You should stay home from work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings,” comments Thomas.

5 steps to take if you get the flu:

1. Stay at home and rest.

2. Avoid close contact with people so you won’t make them sick.

3. Drink plenty of water and other clear liquids to prevent fluid loss (dehydration).

4. Treat fever and cough with medicines you can buy at the store.

5. If you get very sick or are pregnant or have a medical condition that puts you at higher risk of flu complications (like asthma), call your doctor. You might need antiviral medicine to treat flu.

www.cdc.gov/flu.