Flu Facts: How to prevent it, recognize it, and treat it

Influenza (Flu) = A highly contagious viral infection of the lungs.

Seasonal Flu
A common form of flu that spreads each winter. Flu vaccine, along with hand washing, is the best protection from infection.

2009 H1N1 (formerly known as "Swine Flu")
This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide.

Both seasonal influenza ("flu") and 2009 H1N1 flu is caused by a virus that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. It usually lasts between 3 - 7 days. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, aches, headaches, and fatigue. 2009 H1N1 can also cause vomiting and diarrhea.

How do I know if someone has 2009 H1N1 flu or seasonal flu?

It will be very hard to tell if someone with symptoms has 2009 H1N1 or seasonal flu.  Public health officials and medical authorities will not be recommending laboratory tests. Anyone who has the symptoms of influenza-like illness (ILI) should stay home and not go to school or work until fever is gone for 24 hours. 

What if my roommate has the flu or flu-like illness?

• You should limit contact with your sick roommate and try to maintain a distance of 6 feet from him or her.
• If close contact cannot be avoided, your sick roommate should wear a surgical mask, if tolerable, when he or she is around you or other people.
• You should frequently clean commonly touched surfaces.

Practice good health habits daily to help prevent flu

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of each tissue after use.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If water is unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand gel.
• Don't touch your eyes, nose, and mouth. Flu spreads when a person touches items covered with the virus and then touches his eyes, nose or mouth.
• Stay home when you're sick or have flu symptoms.
• Avoid close contact with people who are ill. Maintain at minimum a distance of 3 feet, and ideally a distance of 6 feet.
• Disinfect items people touch (like door knobs, keyboards, faucets, remote controls, phones, and switches). Use a labeled house-hold disinfectant.
• Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritiously.
• Avoid smoking. Smoking may increase the risk of serious problems if you get the flu.

Besides hand-washing, the best protection is flu vaccine. Seasonal flu vaccine and H1N1 flu vaccine are two separate vaccines.

Who should be immunized with the Seasonal and H1N1 vaccines?

The following groups are considered at high risk for H1N1 and should receive the vaccine:

• Pregnant women
• Health care workers or students who provide direct patient contact.
• People who live with and care for children under 6 months of age.
• People between the age of 6 months and 24 years (this includes most students attending institutions of higher education).
• People between ages 25-64 years of age who have chronic health conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes) or compromised immune systems.

Seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for:

• People of any age with certain chronic health conditions (asthma, diabetes, a compromised immune system).
• Anyone living with or caring for high-risk individuals, or children less than 6 months of age.
• People age 50 and older.
• Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday.
• Pregnant women
• Health care workers or students who provide direct patient care.

Self-Care Tips for Flu

Those with flu-like symptoms should "self-isolate". Self-isolation is when sick people stay home and away from other people until they no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have flushed appearance, or are sweating).

During the period of self-isolation, sick people should limit contact with others and try to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from people. If close contact cannot be avoided, sick people should wear a surgical mask when they are around other people, if they can tolerate it.

Additionally, those with ILI should:

• Take a fever-reducing medication that contains acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Motrin). These medicines can help bring a fever down and relieve pain. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years of age who have the flu; this can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye's syndrome.
• Rest in bed (especially if you have a fever).
• Drink decaffeinated liquids (water, tea, soda drinks, juice, clear soup, etc.). It is important to drink fluids early and often to prevent dehydration.
• Eat easily digestible foods that appeal to you, such as pasta, rice, applesauce or crackers.
• Recovery from flu: Once the worst has passed, continue to eat and rest for faster recovery. Increase activity based on how you feel.

NOTE: The only real cure for the flu is time.

When to Seek Medical Advice

Most people with flu or influenza-like illness (ILI) are expected to recover without needing medical care.

If you have flu symptoms and are at risk for complications, consult your doctor right away. Those usually considered at high risk for complications include:

• People 65 or older (for seasonal flu)
• Young children
• People with serious chronic health issues (e.g., congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes)
• People who have disease or treatments that weaken the immune system
• Women who are pregnant

To speak with a nurse at Olin Student Health Center, call 517.353.5557.

To make an appointment at Olin Student Health Center, call 517.353.4660.

Is it a Cold, the Flu, or Bacterial Meningitis?

Information above has been adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ and http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.