What is the flu? Well, apparently that is a question that cannot be answered by many.
My poor hubby is in the thick of sick season and so we're going to dispel some common misperceptions about sickness today. . . This
public service announcement brought to you today in an attempt to lessen the amount of questions asked my husband on a daily basis. ;)
How you'll feel like crap:
High fever or feeling feverish/chills, body aches, headache, dry cough, sore throat, tiredness, red watery eyes, runny nose. . . Does that sound like a head cold? Yeah it does, except head colds don't cause high fevers generally or serious body aches. The flu is also fast onset, no feeling it coming like you do a cold. Pretty much you feel like you were hit by a rather large bus. If you have the flu you know it.
Antibiotics, please?
Sorry, but antibiotics won't help with the flu. You'll need an antiviral like Tamiflu, but then it may only shorten your suffering by a day or two. It will also make you less contagious to others.
Don't touch your face, EVER:
Flu viruses travel through the air when someone infected coughs, sneezes, or talks. You can pick up the virus from touching anything that they have touched as well if you touch your face afterward. The flu can last from a few days to two weeks. Complications like pneumonia and bronchitis or ear infections can occur in some people, even healthy people. It can also exacerbate any chronic health problems you may have like asthma or congestive heart failure.
Why you're not experiencing vomiting and diarrhea?
The stomach flu, is in fact not the flu at all. It is a misnomer for gastroenteritis. If you are experiencing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (and probably feverish and achy), my friend you are the lucky recipient of a nasty little virus that will most likely clear your system in 24 hours. Do not take any anti-diarrhea meds, you'll just prolong the misery. You want to get rid of the nasty stuff so consider the eruptions of your bodily fluids progress in that regard. Drink clear fluids in small portions until you can keep it down. Add crackers, and you're on your way to good health once more. Small children may have vomiting with the real influenza, however, so keep an eye on them.
Getting the shot:
The flu shot
will not protect you from the stomach flu. I wish. It also will not give you the flu. Nope. It's a dead virus or attenuated, which means it won't infect you or anyone you come in contact with. Null, void. The nasal kind and the traditional shot, same deal. The flu shot covers a range of different viruses that the CDC is predicting will be the most prevalent that coming season. Is it foolproof? No. But it is better than nothing. You need a new shot every year as well. The flu viruses change continually.
Flu deja vu?
Can I get the flu again if I've already had it this season? Why yes, yes you can. Because there are more than one strain of flu virus you can definitely pick up another one. Unfortunate, but true. Flu season starts around October, but doesn't peak until February, so there is lots of time to get the flu.
Is it a big deal?
Yes. You don't want the flu. You definitely don't want it if you have any other health concerns and you don't want your children to get it. In 1918 it killed tens of millions in a global pandemic. The flu is serious, causing deaths in this day and age as well.
Dave gets a flu shot every year, because it's just a very good idea especially in his profession. I've not been so diligent, until recently. I've had both kinds of shot (nasal, needle) without incident. My girls have been vaccinated as well. I know there is a fear of vaccines in our country these days, but I think they are forgetting what those diseases look like, feel like. . . that is what should be feared. Don't overestimate the vaccine side effects while underestimating the diseases you are protected from. Just my two cents. ;)
Wishing you all good health this year. . . We've already had the stomach flu at our house last month, so we're hoping for smooth sailing for the rest of the winter.
