Flu Season Is On The Rise Across the U.S. – What To Do?
Did you know?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Flu season is on the rise across the US, with the infection considered to be widespread in 24 states.”
According to the latest data recorded on December 29th, high flu activity went from 9 to 19 over the course of one week in the US. The rate of flu activity is high in the states including Arizona, Alabama, Nevada, Kentucky, Colorado, New Jersey, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Illinois, New Mexico, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, Mississippi, South Carolina, Utah and Virginia , along with New York City.
In the year 2017-2018, approximately 80,000 people died during flu season, making it an extremely severe year.
Symptoms of flu
As flu is on the rise, it’s really important for you to know the symptoms of flu to take preventive measures. Some of the symptoms of flu are:
- Cough
- Headache
- Chills
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Body aches
- Sometimes diarrhea and vomiting
Treatment for flu
Most people with the flu experience mild illness and don’t need any medical care. However, we recommend everyone to consult with their healthcare provider as there is no surety that how severe this season can be.
Get yourself checked by your doctor and stay home to rest and avoid infecting others. Your doctor may recommend you antiviral drugs, depending on your symptoms.
If you have nasal or sinus congestion, your doctor will recommend a decongestant
And if you have a runny nose, postnasal drip, or itchy, watery eyes, an antihistamine will be helpful
Keep in mind that both decongestants and antihistamines can interact with other drugs, make sure to take these medicines as prescribed by your doctor. Talk to your healthcare provider to find about the best treatment option for you.
Things to consider if you get flu:
Medicine is not enough to control the spreading of flu, you need to take care of other things too. Here is a list of things that you must follow if you’ve flu:
1. Take your medicines as prescribed by a doctor
2. You need to take everyday precautions to protect others from getting sick
- Limit your contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
- Don’t forget to cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, or you can use an alcohol-based hand rub.
3. Stay home until you are better
If you are sick with flu-like illness, try to stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities.
