What Is The Flu? The flu is a respiratory disease that is spread from person to person via sneezes and coughs. It is caused by the influenza virus. Between 5% and 20% of Americans get the flu each year and new strains of the flu appear every year. Unlike a cold, influenza is much more likely to cause complications, such as bacterial infections, pneumonia, and hospitalizations. Other flu symptoms include, but are not limited to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Extreme tiredness Body or muscle aches Chills Dry Cough Fever Headache Sore throat
Remaining hydrated while suffering from the flu is important for your health and recovery. Sick individuals often lose their appetite due to nausea and do not feel like drinking as much as usual. Feverish sweats, running nose, vomiting and diarrhea also increase your likelihood of becoming dehydrated. Replacing those fluids is important for recovery. If you or a sick person in your care is prone to forgetting to drink when ill, consider keeping a record of fluid intake each hour. When is flu season? The United States experiences annual epidemics of seasonal flus. This period of high flu activity is referred to as flu season. While seasonal flu outbreaks can occur as early as October and last as late as May, flu activity is generally at its highest between December and February. If you want to remain up to date with the progression of the flu in your area, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report and a map illustrating flu activity per state on its website. What treatments are available? Preventing the flu is much easier than managing it after infection occurs. The CDC recommends that everyone who is 6 months old or older receive an annual flu vaccination. There are a few rare exceptions, such as those with allergies to the flu vaccine or its ingredients. Flu vaccines are available at most urgent care clinics. Since antibiotics treat bacterial infections, they cannot be used to treat a viral infection, like the flu. Instead, antiviral drugs can be used to make your sickness milder and help you improve faster. It is impossible to tell from symptoms alone if you have the flu, which is why it is important to get tested quickly if you suspect you may have the flu. The test can be completed in 30 minutes or less at an urgent care center. For more information about the flu and its symptoms, contact Gonzaba Urgent Care in San Antonio at (210) 921-6000.