From the Doctor's Desk

By: Dr. Chuck Freedman – Associate Medical Director, CMN Inc.

Flu Season Follow-Up

It is now December and we are well into the flu season. The word influenza is actually Italian for influence and it started being used after a “contagious influence visited the people of Rome in 1743”.

In the Q3 2009 edition of The Advocate, we recommended getting vaccinated against both types of flu’s, the seasonal flu and the new H1N1 flu and we hope everybody did just that. There is a lot of flu around now but it is mostly H1N1 which seems to be hitting children and pregnant women the hardest. As of now there have already been 156 pediatric deaths and some 4,500 adult deaths, worldwide. To put this in perspective there are usually 250,000 deaths a year from seasonal flu which usually adversely affects people from 50-70 as opposed to children and pregnant women.

What are the signs and symptoms of the flu and when should you see a doctor?

The signs and symptoms are different than the common cold in that you usually have high fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and headache, chills and fatigue, as well as diarrhea and vomiting. People often say they can remember the exact moment they came down with the flu. There is a treatment for H1N1, Tamiflu, which should be given within 48 hours of the start of flu symptoms.

So, if you think you have the flu please call your doctor and see if you can get treatment. Also, if you have flu symptoms and seem to be getting worse or your fever persists for more than three or four days contact your doctor.

What can you do to stay healthy?

The main way to ensure that you remain healthy is to get immunized. Additionally, it is important to make sure to cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough, wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand gel and avoid touching your hands, eyes and mouth.