The Season of Flu

The flu, or influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses often occurring in the months from November to March.¹ It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can result in death. Unlike the common cold, symptoms of the flu are associated with high fevers, headaches, and extreme exhaustion.² According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year 5% to 20% of the United States population gets the flu. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and approximately 36,000 people die from the flu.³

The flu is transmitted through respiratory droplets when someone coughs or sneezes. It usually spreads from person to person however; it is quite possible for a person to become infected by touching a surface such as a doorknob or a telephone that has been contaminated with the virus and then touching either their nose or mouth. People are at the greatest risk of getting the flu in highly populated areas, such as in schools and in crowded living conditions. Children, the elderly, and people with certain health conditions, including pregnancy, heart or lung disease, kidney disease, metabolic disease and people with a weakened immune system are at a higher risk for serious flu complications.^4,5

Symptoms of the flu usually occur one to four days after the person has been infected. Adults with the virus may be able to infect others one day before even feeling the first symptoms and up to seven days after getting sick. These symptoms include:⁶

Fever (usually high)
Headache
Extreme tiredness
Dry cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle aches
Gastro-intestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are more common among children than in adults

Although the flu is a virus, there are ways to help prevent it. The single best approach is to get a yearly flu vaccine. Unfortunately, this year many people will not be able to get the vaccine due to a shortage of supplies.

After authorities discovered that vaccine from one of two primary suppliers was contaminated, federal authorities have asked that healthy adults refrain from getting vaccinated to leave enough for those at greatest risk: the young, chronically ill, elderly, pregnant woman and certain health care workers.⁷ For those who are not at greatest risk for getting the flu, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers these tips to prevent the flu:⁸

Avoid close contact: Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance form others to protect them from getting sick too.
Stay home when you are sick: If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
Cover your mouth and nose: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
Clean your hands: Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth: Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
Practice basic good-health hygiene: Get seven to eight hours of sleep a night, eat five fruits and vegetables a day and get regular exercise.⁹

Once a person is infected by the flu, he or she can simply treat it by resting in bed, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking over-the-counter medicine such as aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol, for example).¹⁰ Antibiotics will not work to treat the flu since it is a virus. Antibiotics only are successful when fighting infections caused by bacteria.¹¹

Devon Health Services Inc., the Northeast’s most extensive Preferred Provider Organization and National Healthcare Cost Management Company, recognizes the urgency for treatment caused by the flu virus and the complications it may result in. Devon Health Services offers its members access to numerous qualified and skilled physicians that can treat and educate patients on ways to control the flu. Visit www.devonhealth.com for more details about Devon Health Services, Inc.

For more information regarding the flu, please visit the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at www.niad.nih.gov and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov.