Health Alerts

FLU FACTS…SPOT THE SIGNS AND BEAT THE BUG!
 

The flu can knock you off your feet. However, knowing how to pamper yourself can help you feel better faster.
 Massena Memorial Hospital Internal Medicine physician, Dr. Joanne Cichetti, said, “Even if you have never had the flu doesn’t mean you won’t get it. If you are out in the public then you could be exposed to the flu, you need to be aware of the signs and symptoms.”
 She added, “I personally have never had the flu, but I have seen enough cases of it that I know it is something I want to avoid. While the current flu shots do not protect against the bird flu, they do give the immune system a head start so it is not weakened trying to battle the usual flu virus.”
Flu Symptoms
 The following symptoms pack a powerful punch but usually clear up within two weeks. If symptoms linger or worsen, call your doctor, Dr. Cichetti suggests.
• A fever between 102 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit that lasts three days
• Muscle aches and pains
• Extreme fatigue
• • Headache
• • Chest discomfort
• Other symptoms include a cough, stuffy nose, sore throat, and sneezing. Children may experience nausea and vomiting.

Comfort Measures
Dr. Cichetti suggests the best thing you can do when you have the flu is take good care of yourself. Try these comfort measures:
• Eat well and drink lots of fluids, such as water, soup, and caffeine-free beverages.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Consider over-the-counter medications. For example, nasal decongestants can help unclog a stuffy nose, and antihistamines stop sneezing. Acetaminophen can tackle a fever and minor aches.

A Shot in the Arm
An annual flu shot can greatly lower your chance of getting the flu. And, if you get the flu despite vaccination, it’s often a milder case.
 Health experts recommend yearly flu shots for those who:
• are age 50 or older
• are ages 6 to 59 months
• live in a long-term care facility
• Have heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes.

Steer Clear of the Flu
Dr. Cichetti recommends these strategies also can help you dodge the flu:
• Frequently wash your hands with warm, soapy water for at least 15 seconds.
• Disinfect telephones, doorknobs, keyboards, and other items touched by people who have the flu.
• Make sure that people with the flu blow their noses in disposable tissue and discard it right away.
If you think you may have signs of the flu, you should contact your doctor or health care professional immediately.