Treatment and Prevention.

Treatment of Influenza

Typically, there is little that is done to treat the flu in otherwise healthy people.

Home Treatment

• Bed rest
• Drink extra fluids – at least one full glass of water or juice every hour.
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol), or Ibuprofen can relieve head and muscle aches. Aspirin should be avoided for children.

When To Call A Health Professional

• After three days of fever over 102 F.
• If cough brings up heavy mucus.
• If there is increasing difficulty in breathing.
• When a patient seemingly gets better, then gets worse again.
• If flu-like symptoms occur 10 days to three weeks after a possible tick bite because of the possiblity of Lyme's disease.

Finally, sometimes an anti-flu medication is necessary. Amantadine and rimantadine are effective anti-influenza drugs that can decrease the length of influenza-A infection by one-third if given within 48 hours of symptoms onset. They can also be used to prevent influenza-A infections. The most common side effects of these drugs are insomnia, nausea and dizziness.

Prevention of Influenza

Immunization against influenza provides fair protection, or may lessen symptoms if the disease is contracted. Every year, scientists develop a vaccine against the most recently circulating strain of the virus. The immunization is given by injection each fall in anticipation of the coming flu season.

You must be immunized within one week to four months prior to exposure for the shots to be effective. The vaccine is composed of inactivated organisms from several virus strains which scientists attempt to include the most recent mutation. Vaccines are typically 67 to 92 percent effective.

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