Influenza (Flu)
At least 20 million people, died in the 1918
influenza pandemic.
You're especially
at risk if you are an older adult, have diabetes,
chronic cardiovascular or lung disease, or an
impaired immune system.
When
to seek medical advice
See your doctor right away if you have flu symptoms,
especially if you're at high risk of a severe case of influenza or
complications of the disease. For some people, drugs known as
neuraminidase inhibitors may help shorten the flu's duration and
intensity. Other antiviral drugs, such as amantadine (Symmetrel), may
help reduce the duration and severity of type A influenza, but may also
cause side effects. To be effective, antiviral drugs need to be taken no
later than 24 to 48 hours after you first notice symptoms.
In addition, seek medical help if you have trouble
breathing, a severe sore throat, a cough that produces a lot of green or
yellow mucus, or you feel faint. See your doctor immediately if you
think you might have signs or symptoms of pneumonia. These may include a
severe cough that brings up phlegm, a high fever and a sharp pain when
you breathe deeply. If you have bacterial pneumonia, you'll need
treatment with antibiotics.
Complications
If you're young and healthy, influenza is usually just a
moderately severe illness. Although you may feel completely miserable
while you have it, flu usually goes away with no lasting effects. But if
you're 50 years of age or older or have a chronic illness, signs and
symptoms can be much more serious and may lead to complications such as
acute sinusitis, bronchitis or pneumonia. In some cases, flu can be
fatal.
Pneumococcal pneumonia, a serious bacterial infection of
your lungs, is the most common severe complication of influenza. For
older adults and people with chronic heart or lung disease, or
compromised immune systems, pneumonia can be deadly. The best protection
is to be vaccinated against both pneumococcal pneumonia and influenza.
Some people may only need to receive the pneumonia
vaccine once. Others, especially those with a serious underlying disease
such as diabetes or who have had their spleen removed, may need to be
vaccinated again in six to 10 years. Flu vaccines need yearly updates.
Influenza (Flu)
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