Even though flu season is almost over this year, you should not let your guard down. There are many reasons to stay alert, many of which are health-related. If you or a loved one is experiencing the general symptoms of flu, it is best that you seek help at your local Urgent Care in Goshen, NY or your local physician’s office as soon as humanly possible. Even though your doctor may tell you that there isn’t much they can do in terms of medication, their guidance can often mean the difference between days and weeks of suffering.
The flu virus can cause a variety of issues:
* It usually begins abruptly with pharyngitis (or throat inflammation);
* Headaches;
* Chills;
* Dry cough;
* High fever (which tends to be higher in children);
* Muscle aches;
* Malaise;
* Lack of appetite;
* Cold or sneezing, blocked or runny nose; and/or
* Pain and watery eyes.
* In some children, symptoms are also accompanied by gastrointestinal problems. These range from vomiting to abdominal pain.
The best treatment for influenza is self-care at home and this consists of:
* Absolute leisure;
* Isolation, which prevents infections and complications;
* Avoid agglomerates and/or cold drafts;
* A complete diet containing foods rich in vitamin C;
* Drink at least 8 glasses of water, juice or broth a day to prevent dehydration. Fluids also help to thin lung secretions;
* Control your fever with a warm wet cloth;
* If you have a sore throat, you can gargle with warm salt water or hot tea. You can also take acetaminophen, aspirin, nasal sprays and decongestants, which can relieve minor discomfort. However, if the flu is caused by a virus, you should NOT take aspirin, especially if you are under 18 years.
To prevent you getting the flu, implementing the vaccine before flu season is important. The vaccine is administered in a single dose, but you should revaccinate every year in the fall, before the start of the regular winter flu epidemics begin. Generally, people tend to cure flu individually, through the consumption of some influenza, antihistamines or by natural methods. However, it is very important that, if the flu does not yield within a week, you should consult your doctor to avoid complications. For more information,
