Is it the cold or flu?

[azsnowman]

Thought I'd post this now that the flu season seems to be in full swing (knocks on wood, I'm flu free so far).



What are the symptoms of influenza? Symptoms of influenza include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. Other symptoms include headache, chills, dry cough, sore throat, pain when moving the eyes, sneezing, and runny nose. The onset of symptoms is often rapid and intense.

How is it treated? People with flu are commonly advised to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Antiviral medicines prescribed include those taken orally (e.g., amantadine [Symmetrel®], rimantadine [Flumadine®], and oseltamavir [Tamiflu®]) or with an inhaler (e.g., zanamavir [Relenza®] and ribavirin [Virazole®]). Aspirin-containing products are not given to people under 18 years old who have flu symptoms, since this practice has been linked to an increased risk of Reye’s syndrome (brain and liver abnormalities that can lead to coma and death). Antibiotics are sometimes recommended to prevent secondary bacterial infections,1 2 such as pneumonia.3 Antibiotics are not effective against viruses, such as those that cause influenza, and do not affect the course of that disease. Although early intervention with antibiotics may effectively prevent pneumonia 4 and reduce costs associated with influenza outbreaks,5 some doctors believe the use of antibiotics to prevent (rather than to treat) bacterial infections is ill-advised6 and should be limited to people who are most at risk of developing a secondary infection, such as the elderly and those with compromised immune function (as in AIDS). This is because overuse of antibiotics may lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria that are more difficult to treat.7



Dennis

[Stephanie]

Thanks for posting that information Dennis!

I know that when my eyes hurt, I have a fever.

There was a spike in the reported number of flu cases in Philadelphia last week. There were a total of 124 reported cases versus 2 reported the sametime last year.

You can run, but you cannot hide...