How To Beat the Flu

Be sure to consult with your doctor about any health related questions.

How can I prevent the flu?
 

The best way to avoid the flu is to get a flu vaccine every year. You should get vaccinated annually because the flu virus changes.

Scientists make a different vaccine every year because the strains of flu viruses change from year to year. Some years, an unpredicted new strain may appear after the vaccine has been made and distributed to doctors and clinics. So, even if you do get the flu vaccine, you still may get infected. But, if you do get infected, the illness usually is milder because the vaccine still will give you some protection.

Your immune system takes time to respond to the flu vaccine. Therefore, you should get vaccinated 6 to 8 weeks before flu season begins to prevent getting infected or reduce the severity of flu if you do get it.
 

Are there possible side effects from the flu vaccine?
 

You should be aware that the flu vaccine can cause side effects. The most common side effect in children and adults is soreness at the site of the vaccination. Other side effects, especially in children who previously have not been exposed to the flu virus, include fever, tiredness, and sore muscles. These side effects may begin 6 to 12 hours after vaccination and may last for up to 2 days.

The flu vaccine may contain some egg protein, which can cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, if you are allergic to eggs or have ever had a serious allergic reaction to the flu vaccine, Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends that you consult with your doctor before getting vaccinated.

FluMist is an experimental nasal spray flu vaccine that may offer several potential advantages over the currently approved flu shot. Learn more at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/newsroom/focuson/flu00/flumist.htm
 

Who should get the flu vaccine?
 

If you are in any of the following groups or live in a household with someone who is, CDC recommends that you get the flu vaccine.

• You are 50 years of age or older
• You have chronic diseases of your heart, lungs, or kidneys
• You have diabetes
• Your immune system does not function properly
• You have a severe form of anemia
• You will be more than 3 months pregnant during the flu season
• You live in a nursing home or other chronic-care housing facility

The vaccine can be given to children as young as 6 months. Children and teenagers (aged 6 months to 18 years) should get the flu vaccine if they are taking long-term aspirin treatment as they may be at risk of developing Reye's syndrome following a flu infection. They should also get the flu vaccine if they live in a household with someone in the above groups.

Health care workers and volunteers should get the flu vaccine if they work with patients in any of the above groups.
 

Are there medicines I can take to prevent the flu?
 

Although the flu vaccine is the best way to prevent getting the flu, three antiviral medicines also are available by prescription that will help prevent flu infection.

• Tamiflu (oseltamivir)
• Flumadine (rimantadine)
• Symmetrel (amantadine)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Tamiflu for use in adults and teenagers 13 years and older. Rimantadine and amantadine have been approved for use by adults and children who are 1 year of age and older.

Rimantadine and amantadine have unpleasant side effects. Your doctor can help you decide which medicine is best for you.

These medicines help prevent the flu if you take them for at least 2 weeks during the outbreak of flu in your community. You may use these medicines if you are in close contact with family members or others who have the flu.

You may use them if you are in close contact with people who have been vaccinated but whom you want to give added protection from getting the flu.

You may use either medicine immediately following flu vaccination during a flu epidemic to protect you during the 2- to 4-week period before antibodies (proteins from your immune system that protect you from the flu virus) develop or when a flu epidemic is caused by virus strains other than those covered by the vaccine.

You should discuss the flu vaccine and medicines with your doctor before the flu season begins.
 

How is the flu treated?
 

Many people treat their flu infections by simply

• Resting in bed
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Taking over-the-counter medicine such as aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol, for example)

Do not give aspirin to children and adolescents who have the flu.

Do not take antibiotics to treat the flu because they do not work on viruses. Antibiotics only work against some infections caused by bacteria.

Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases