Flu season is here

January 10, 2013

Flu Season is in full swing as doctor's offices and pharmacies are staying busy treating this contagious respiratory disease.
Flu viruses spread from person to person when people who are infected cough or sneeze, or anything of the sort.
The American Red Cross states that adults may be able to infect others one day before getting symptoms and as long as five days after getting sick.
Common symptoms of the flu include high fever, severe body aches, headache, extreme tiredness, sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose, and vomiting.
The flu has already been spreading around the area at a rapid pace, and there are ways to help prevent it if possible.
"This year we have had a bunch of positive cases already," said Angie Hernandez, Registered Nurse at McMurry Clinic. "The most important thing is good hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and increasing fluids."
Sometimes, even when individuals do their best, the germs spread anyway and they end up getting sick. When this happens, and someone is stuck home with the flu, there are always things to do to help recovery.
"Always up the fluids, and they can do ibuprofen and tylenol as needed," said Hernandez. "Pretty much treat the symptoms. With sneezing and drainage they can take over the counter allergy tabs."
Doctors have prescriptions they can write for those testing positive for the flu, but it is important to make sure it gets taken care of before being spread, and Hernandez says it is important to stay away from public locations if diagnosed. This will help prevent the spreading of the flu to others in the community.
Another important thing that Hernandez advises is that anyone thinking they might have the flu or any of its symptoms they need go see their family physician as soon as they can.