Its Flu season: What do you need
to know about flu?

Flu Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by Influenza Virus. Each year in United States on an average about 36,000 die from flu.

Flu season occurs during late fall and winter. Anyone can get flu. However intensity of the disease and death rate is highest among children < 2 years, adults >65 years and ones with immunity lowering ailments like diabetes, chronic renal disease, COPD, cancer etc.

 

Dr. Deepa Nagarajan received her medical degree from India in 1998. She completed her Residency & Chief residency from Mt Sinai School of Medicine at Queens Hospital center NY. She is Board Certified as a Diplomate in the American Board of Internal Medicine. Her practice is accepting new patients. Emory Johns Creek Hospital Physicians Plaza6325 West Johns Crossing Bldg 100, Suite 301Duluth, GA 30007, Contact Tel (770)623-3056

The virus spreads from a person to person by a close contact through coughing/ sneezing or from a surface contaminated with the droplet that comes out while coughing/sneezing.
Symptoms of flu are abrupt onset of high fever, body aches, headache, non-productive cough, sore throat, nasal congestion. Children can have ear infection, Nausea and vomiting. Uncomplicated flu can resolve within 3-7 days. Cough and tiredness can persist for > 2 weeks.
Flu can be diagnosed by:
Symptoms alone. However flu symptoms can be confused with other respiratory illness.
Rapid flu test can be done in office and it detects the illness in 30 minutes. However if the test is negative, it should be confirmed with culture.
The best way to deal with flu during flu season is avoid getting flu. Get a flu shot during at the beginning of flu season .It takes about 2 weeks for the antibodies to develop and protect you from getting flu.
There are 2 types of flu vaccine. One is an inactivated vaccine which is given in the form of an injection and the other one is a live vaccine which is given in the form of a mist. (Flu mist) .Live vaccine can be given only for healthy individuals between 5-49 years and Non-pregnant women.
Other measures which can be taken to prevent flu are avoid being around sick people, avoid crowd, adopt healthy eating habits. Despite the above measures if you get respiratory illness, cover your mouth while coughing /sneezing, wash your hands frequently .That way contaminated respiratory droplets are not spread.
If you are down with flu, take enough rest, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid alcohol.
Two medications are approved by FDA to treat flu TAMIFLU (oseltamivir) and RELANZA (zanamivir).It should be given within 48 hours of flu symptoms or within 48 hours when an exposure is suspected.
For questions or comments email: drdeepa01@gmail.com
 

Disclaimer: Dr Nagarajan has provided the information on this website (collectively, the "Service") for educational purposes only. Nothing contained in the Service is intended to be instructional for medical diagnosis or treatment. Although Dr Nagarajan makes a conscientious effort to provide high quality information, Dr Nagarajan disclaims any implied guarantee about the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or relevance of any information. You should call or see your physician promptly if you have any healthcare related questions or before embarking on a new treatment, diet or fitness program. You should never disregard or delay in seeking medical advice from your physician because of something you have read, heard or seen on the Service