![]() Neurologic and neurodevelopment conditions (cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, stroke, etc.).Adults with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 40.Chronic medical conditions (asthma, COPD, heart/cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, etc.).Pregnant women or women less than two weeks post-partum.You should definitely visit your provider, if you have flu symptoms and are in a high-risk population: Additionally, they can decrease the risk of complications from influenza, especially in the high-risk populations,” Dr. They’re most effective if given within the first 48 hour of symptoms, and they can shorten the duration of illness by about 24 hours. “The important thing to note about these medications is that they don’t cure the flu. ![]() The most well-known medication is an antiviral medication called Tamiflu. There are several antiviral medications that can be prescribed for influenza. Think you have the flu? Try virtual care today! “It’s equally as important to protect others by avoiding large group gatherings, like work or school, while you are sick.” “It’s so important to rest, and keep yourself well-hydrated when diagnosed, so you can recover as quickly as possible,” Dr. Stay away from children under 2, especially children under 6 months old who can’t receive flu vaccines yet, as well as adults 65 and older, pregnant women and anyone with chronic immune suppression. Stay home from work or school (if possible), and use good hand hygiene, and cover your cough and/or sneezes with your elbow. Be sure to check all cough medication ingredients and directions before giving to children. You can also do some gargling with warm salt water to soothe a sore throat. If your flu symptoms include a sore throat or cough, use over-the-counter cough medicine, such as Robitussin or Delsym. ![]() Cough suppressants & salt water gargles.Tylenol and ibuprofen can be helpful for reducing fevers and body aches. But, aspirin shouldn’t be used in children, and no ibuprofen should be used in pregnant women or children under 6 months old. The best treatment for influenza is rest and staying well-hydrated because high fevers can be exhausting, and your risk of dehydration is much higher with fevers. She recommends the following ways to treat flu symptoms at home: Davis says there are certain self-care steps you can take. Sudden onset fever (temperature greater than 100.4 degrees).How do you know if you have flu? Common flu symptoms include: Christine Davis, DO, UnityPoint Health, breaks down how to treat the flu, including what you can do at home and when you need to see a doctor. Dr.Influenza spreads every year, and despite your best efforts to wash your hands and guard against germs, there’s still no guarantee you won’t get it.Sign up now: Get smarter about your money and career with our weekly newsletter If you're experiencing severe symptoms like a drop in your oxygen levels or shortness of breath, she strongly recommends going to the hospital where you will be able to receive medical attention and additional testing. Ideally, people should get diagnosed with viruses like Covid-19 and the flu early in the course of illness, Gounder says.ĭetecting those conditions in their beginning stages allows people to receive treatments like Paxlovid for Covid and Tamiflu for influenza to prevent serious complications down the line like hospitalization, she adds. "If by two days after developing symptoms you're still not testing positive on those at-home tests, it's pretty unlikely you have Covid." To avoid putting others at risk and to help minimize the severity of any illness you might contract, you should stock up on at-home antigen tests for Covid-19, Gounder suggests.Īnd if you do end up feeling under the weather, it would be best to assume you may have Covid, and act accordingly by testing and isolating yourself from others.Įven if you test negative on the first day, Gounder recommends retesting on day two to be sure. A seasonal flu shot, which the CDC recommends for everyone six months of age and older.Getting vaccinated against Covid-19, including the updated omicron-specific booster."Wearing a high-quality mask, whether it's a KN95 mask or an N95 mask, when you're indoors in public places, will certainly reduce your risk," says Gounder.
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