What are the symptoms?
Influenza is a viral infection of the respiratory tract. Some people confuse stomach flu with Influenza. Stomach flu is a viral infection of the gastrointestinal tract that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Influenza and stomach flu are not related. Influenza has a rapid onset of the following:
• Headache
• Fever 103-105ºF, often with chills
• Muscle Aches
• Malaise (generally feel bad)
• Dry Cough
• Burning behind the sternum (breast bone)
The above symptoms are followed over the next few days by sore throat, nasal congestion, stomach pain, nausea and occasionally vomiting. The fever usually lasts 2 to 4 days with the majority of symptoms starting to improve by the 5th to 6th day. The cough can occasionally last a few weeks. There are 2 types of Influenza, A and B. You cannot tell the difference without lab tests.
How is it spread?
Influenza is spread by nasal, oral and coughed out secretions. Influenza is contagious for 24 hours before symptoms start until 7 days after they start or until the symptoms are much improved, whichever is longest. The incubation period from contact to onset of symptoms is 1 to 3 days. Influenza usually occurs during a season from December to April each year with the peak time in this area in January. Influenza sometimes starts as early as October.
How do I treat it at home?
The time-honored home remedies are still effective. Drink plenty of fluids, get plenty of rest, and take ibuprofen (Motrin) for the aches and pains. You can also take acetaminophen (Tylenol) in addition to the ibuprofen, if the ibuprofen alone is not helping enough. Cold medications are generally not of much help, but you can try them if you wish.
What do I watch for?
• Ear Pain: As many as 15% of children will get an ear infection from Influenza. If your child has ear pain, the give ibuprofen, put a heating pad on the ear and call the office during business hours for an appointment. If the ear pain is severe, then call anytime.
• Cough: A dry cough lasting several weeks and associated with mild burning behind the sternum (breast bone) is normal. If the cough becomes productive, is associated with worsening pain, shortness of breath, labor, tightness or wheezing, then call the office during business hours if it’s mild to moderate, or anytime if severe.
• Headache: A headache is very normal with Influenza. If there is a face ache that is worsened by pushing on the sinuses (just below the eyes and between the eyebrows), then call the office during business hours. If there is also confusion, stupor, hallucinations, delirium or combative behavior, then call immediately or go to the emergency room.
What about the vaccine?
The vaccine is quite effective. It can be given as early as 6 months of age, takes 3 weeks to work, can give minor muscle aches and a fever for a few days, and cannot give you the flu. The vaccine is generally available in October, you should get it before December if possible, but you can get it as late in the season as you want if you need it. The vaccine is recommended for everyone, but especially the following groups:
• Lung disease, especially asthma
• Heart Disease
• Chronic Kidney Diseases
• Metabolic Disorders (Diabetes)
• Hemoglobinopathies
• Immunosuppression (Chemotherapy , Transplants, etc)
• Those on long term Aspirin Therapy
• Household members of anybody with the above
What about prescription medicines?
There are some medications that may reduce the duration and severity of Influenza. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is an oral medication that treats A and B. It must be started within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. It reduces severity by about 10% and duration by about a day, but in some cases it makes a large difference. It can also be used to prevent getting it from a contagious household member.
The problem with all of the prescription medications is that they only work for Influenza. There are several viruses that can mimic Influenza; therefore we often need lab tests to be sure about the diagnosis.
OVER THE COUNTER MEDICINES
- You may take Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and / or Ibuprofen (Motrin) to help the fever and discomfort
- Theoretically, cough suppressants may keep you from coughing out the secretions you should be coughing out and therefore should not be used until the cough turns dry.
- Antihistamines, decongestants and your chronic / routine medicines may be given as usual, but please ask the pharmacist about drug interactions.
