The Influenza Season Has Officially Returned

Well, it’s official. We are into the flu season. There has been an increase in influenza and influenza-like illnesses in the last couple of weeks. The Center for Disease Control and the St. Louis County Department of Health are both reporting an increase in the number of cases reported. According to the CDC, Missouri is characterized as being in the “high” incidence category.

Influenza and influenza-like illnesses are characterized by fever, headache, cough, sore throat, runny nose and generalized achiness that can last from three to seven  days. Influenza is contagious and can be especially harmful to the elderly, young children and those with chronic illnesses, such as asthma.

Prevention is key when addressing influenza. Health care professionals recommend getting an annual seasonal flu shot, which covers type A, type B and H1N1 influenzas with just one immunization. 

Other helpful practices include keeping a distance of 3 feet between you and others, covering your mouth with each sneeze or cough, using your upper arm or sleeve to catch a sneeze or cough, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth as much as possible.

The No. 1 prevention practice for influenza and other communicable illnesses is frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. I can’t say it enough, wash your hands a lot.

What if you have done everything you can to prevent influenza and you still get it? Treat the symptoms. You should rest, drink fluids and take medication to control the fever. It is important to seek medical attention if you experience difficulty breathing, your fever that is not responding to medication, if you experience signs of dehydration, or if you experience vomiting associated with coughing.  

You might be a candidate for Tamiflu, if you are diagnosed early enough or are at risk for complications. Tamiflu does not cure influenza. Influenza is a virus and must run its course. If, however, you receive Tamiflu just prior to the onset of the illness or within the first 72 hours, you can potentially shorten the duration and severity of the illness. 

It is appropriate to return to work or school once you are feeling physically better and if you have been fever free for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medication. Generally, the cough is the last symptom to be resolved and can take a week or two to completely go away. As long as a cough is not affecting your ability to concentrate, it should not be a determining factor for returning to work or school.

Hopefully, with preventive measures and some good luck you and your family will be influenza-free this season.