Most common questions answered on the flu
Dr. Caudle, Dr. Soden and Dr. Crupain answer your most common questions on the flu. Learn about illness prevention, recognition, and symptoms of various seasonal viruses.
Transcript
It's important to consult with your health care provider about other possible symptoms that appear severe or concerning if you think you
or a loved one has the flu. [MUSIC PLAYING] Hi. Dr. Kevin Soden here with six ways
to stay well in this cold and flu season. First, get plenty of sleep. You need 7 and 1/2 to 8 hours every night.
That helps keep your immune system humming. Get enough vitamin D3. Take 1,000 units a day, 1,200 after age 60.
Manage stress. Chronic stress takes a toll on your immune system, so carve out 10 minutes a day for meditation
and deep breathing and serene stretching. Exercise. A daily walk also helps bolster your immunity.
It's a great stress buster, too. Eat right. That means lots of colorful fruits and veggies,
lean protein, and whole grains. Wash your hands a lot. And if you do come down with a cold or the flu,
do yourself and your coworkers a favor and stay home. You'll recuperate more quickly and help
keep everyone else healthy. [MUSIC PLAYING] If you have the flu, a sneeze or cough is only the beginning.
People can experience some or all of these symptoms-- cough, sore throat, fever, runny or stuffy nose, fatigue,
chills, and headaches. The flu can be a very serious illness for those who have higher risk factors, including people
over the age of 65, pregnant people, children younger than the age of five, people with chronic medical conditions
like diabetes, asthma, or heart disease. Symptoms of the flu to look out for that require immediate medical care are
dehydration, or in children, not being alert or interacting when awake. In adults, persistent dizziness or confusion or inability
to arouse, chest pains or severe muscle pain, trouble breathing, discolored lips or nail beds, even
seizures or persistent pain and weakness, a fever or cough that improves but then returns or worsens, and in adults, a fever over 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fevers can be a sign of a serious infection, especially in young children. You should seek medical help for your child
immediately if they are three months old or younger and have a fever of 100.4 degrees or more,
if they are younger than two years old and have a 100.4 fever that lasts over 24 hours, if they're over the age of two and has a 100.4 fever that lasts
more than three days, or if they're three months old or younger and has 100.4 degree fever or higher fever
of 100.4 degrees. It's important to consult with your health care provider about other possible symptoms that appear severe or concerning if you think you or a loved one
has the flu. [MUSIC PLAYING] Why are folks so adamant about getting the flu vaccine?
Well, to put it simply, the flu vaccine triggers antibody production, which protects you and your loved ones from getting the flu.
The flu can be serious, especially in young children, pregnant people, and people with chronic medical conditions. In those people, it may lead to more severe illness or even
death. It's recommended that you get your flu vaccine by the end of October so your antibodies are ready to do their job properly.
There are multiple flu vaccine options that are best suited for different age groups. Find where you fit in and get the flu vaccine.
The flu can kill many people, depending on how strong the strain is for the season. So make it a tradition to get your shot every year.
[MUSIC PLAYING] Unfortunately, with COVID-19, you can have the virus and show
zero symptoms or you can show symptoms similar to the flu. We used to think when we coughed or sneezed,
a cold was coming on or, worst case, we had the flu. Nowadays, we have COVID-19 to worry about.
And differentiating between these illnesses can be tricky, as their symptoms can be similar. The common cold displays gradual symptoms,
meaning that you can detect that a cold is on its way days before it actually arrives. With the common cold, you'll usually experience things
like sneezing, stuffy nose, sore throat, a mild cough, and it will generally go away on its own in a few days.
COVID-19 and flu symptoms are more severe. If you have the flu, symptoms usually arise abruptly.
Unfortunately with COVID-19, you can have the virus and show zero symptoms, or you can show symptoms similar to the flu.
The flu is easier to detect, unlike the COVID-19 virus. The best way to rule out one or the other is to get tested for COVID-19.
Now there isn't a vaccine for the common cold, but there are vaccines available for COVID-19 and the flu. It's important to note that all three illnesses are contagious.
So if you believe you're sick, it's best to stay home and avoid contact with others. [MUSIC PLAYING]
The flu is bad enough on its own. But in some cases, it may make a bad situation worse. It can cause sinus and ear infections,
and it can also lead to life-threatening illnesses like pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs where the air sacs become
inflamed and may fill with fluid or pus, leading to difficulty with breathing. It can be brought on by the influenza virus alone,
or it can be the result of a combination of influenza and bacteria. This is why it's important to wash your hands as
often as possible and keep a safe distance from people who are sick. If someone has chronic medical problems such as asthma
or chronic heart disease, contracting the flu can cause asthma attacks or worsen heart conditions. The flu can trigger inflammation of the heart, brain,
or muscles, and lead to sepsis. Sepsis is an inflammatory response in the body to an infection. It triggers a chain reaction that can lead to organ failure.
The flu is a very serious illness, which is why it is stressed that everyone get their flu vaccine each year.
cold flu
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