If You Start To Experience These Early Flu Symptoms See A Doctor Right Away:
Not only can professional medical care help you to feel better faster, it can also help to ensure that complications from the flu can be treated immediately if they develop. Serious complications that can develop from the flu include pneumonia, myocarditis , encephalitis , and organ failure. Other less serious but significant complications are sinus infections, ear infections and dehydration.
Early signs of flu include:
- Fever or feeling feverish and having chills
While many of these symptoms may also be experienced with the common cold, if they come on suddenly and feel more severe than a cold, it may be the flu. You should see a doctor right away so that you can be tested and, if appropriate, treated with an antiviral medication. At PhysicianOne Urgent Care Centers we offer walk-in care for the flu seven days per week. You can find a location and check in online here for fast flu treatment.
How Can You Prevent Cat Flu
The best way to protect your cat from cat flu is by getting them vaccinated against the viruses that cause cat flu. Your cat will need two flu vaccines followed by booster shots throughout their life. While vaccination may not be able to stop your cat from ever getting the flu, it can help them from developing serious symptoms.
If you have multiple cats and one of them is ill, keep the infected one isolated as much as possible to help stop the spread of the virus. Make sure that shared items, like bowls and litter boxes, are disinfected after use to kill off any remaining bacteria.
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What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Antiviral Drugs
Side effects vary for each medication. The most common side effects for oseltamivir are nausea and vomiting. Zanamivir can cause bronchospasm, and peramivir can cause diarrhea. Other less common side effects also have been reported. Your health care provider can give you more information about these drugs or you can check the Food and Drug Administration websiteexternal icon for specific information about antiviral drugs, including the manufacturers package insert.
Parents, if your child gets sick with flu, antiviral drugs offer a safe and effective treatment option. For treatment, influenza antiviral drugs should ideally be started within 2 days after becoming sick and taken according to your doctors instructions .
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Which Treatments Should I Take For Flu Symptoms
The flu treatment you should take depends on your symptoms. For example, if you have nasal or sinus congestion, then a decongestant can be helpful.
come in oral or nasal spray forms. Decongestants are used to reduce swelling in the nasal passageways. However, nasal spray decongestants should not be used for more than a few days because, if they are used too long and then stopped, they can cause rebound symptoms.
If you have a runny nose, postnasal drip, or itchy, watery eyes — then an antihistamine may be helpful for your flu symptoms. Antihistamines block the effect of “histamine,” and help relieve such annoying symptoms as sneezing, itching, and nasal discharge.
Some over-the-counter antihistamines often make people drowsy, whereas decongestants can make people hyper or keep them awake. Keep in mind that both decongestants and antihistamines can interact with other drugs you may be taking, and they may aggravate some conditions. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about which flu symptom treatment is best for you.
Concerned What Youre Feeling May Be Covid
Both COVID-19 and the seasonal flu are highly contagious respiratory illnesses, which means they share some similar symptoms like high-grade fever, chills, cough, headache and more.
But there are some distinct differences, including how quickly symptoms set in, and cough type and severity. Also, there are some symptoms that are far more consistent with COVID-19 like shortness of breath or new loss of taste or smell.
If you want to know more, check out our post on . If you think you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you can schedule a video visit to talk with a doctor about your symptoms and if you should .
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How Long Does The Flu Last
The duration of the flu varies from person to person and depends on a variety of health factors. In general, the flu lasts approximately one to two weeks. Symptoms come on suddenly and then gradually improve over two to five days, but less severe effects such as fatigue and coughing may last longer.
Should I Still Get A Flu Vaccine
Yes. Antiviral drugs are not a substitute for getting a flu vaccine. While flu vaccine can vary in how well it works, a flu vaccine is best way to help prevent seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications. Everyone 6 months and older should receive a flu vaccine every year. Antiviral drugs are a second line of defense that can be used to treat flu if you get sick.
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What Are The Recommended Antiviral Drugs For Children
At the first sign of flu symptoms, talk to your doctor about whether antiviral drugs might benefit your child. These flu drugs can help a child get better sooner and may prevent serious flu complications.
Antivirals work best when taken during the first two days of illness. The first dose should be taken within 48 hours of when symptoms started.
Why Is This Medication Prescribed
Oseltamivir is used to treat some types of influenza infection in adults, children, and infants who have had symptoms of the flu for no longer than 2 days. This medication is also used to prevent some types of flu in adults and children when they have spent time with someone who has the flu or when there is a flu outbreak. Oseltamivir is in a class of medications called neuraminidase inhibitors. It works by stopping the spread of the flu virus in the body. Oseltamivir helps shorten the time that flu symptoms such as a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, cough, muscle or joint aches, tiredness, headache, fever, and chills last. Oseltamivir will not prevent bacterial infections, which may occur as a complication of the flu.
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Use Of Antiviral Medications To Treat Influenza
Outbreaks of influenza occur every year and typically reach epidemic levels at some part of the season. Usually, uncomplicated influenza gets better with or without antiviral treatment but may cause substantial discomfort and limit activities while it lasts.
Many people with uncomplicated influenza use over-the-counter medicines, get rest, and take plenty of fluids to lessen their symptoms. Antiviral drugs available by prescription can reduce the time it takes for symptoms to improve, and some are also used in selected situations to reduce the chance of illness in people exposed to influenza virus. Prompt medical evaluation is important for early treatment of influenza as the antiviral drugs may provide the most benefit for patients who initiate therapy within 48 hours of symptom onset.
Symptoms of influenza may mimic other infections which require different treatment . It is important to be evaluated by a healthcare provider, if symptoms are severe or worsening or if there is an underlying chronic medical condition. Laboratory tests can help detect influenza virus. However, a negative test does not always rule out the possibility of an influenza virus infection, and positive tests do not exclude the possibility of other illnesses or take the place of clinical evaluation.
For more information and public health recommendations about circulating influenza virus, including resistance patterns for specific drugs, go to Flu.gov or to the CDC and WHO websites.
How You Can Help Fight Superbugs
The good news is that were making progress in the battle against superbugs. Aetna is working to educate doctors about the dangers of overprescribing antibiotics for common complaints like acute bronchitis, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state Departments of Health. In 2018, the program reduced unnecessary prescriptions by 16%. In 2019, the initiative will be expanding to additional states.
But we need your help. You can fight the rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs by asking the right questions and taking your medication as directed. If your doctor offers to prescribe you antibiotics, ask if theyre really necessary. Doctors may think people are coming to them for antibiotics, Dr. Knecht says. Asking doctors if antibiotics are needed lets them know that youre there for the right treatment, whatever that is. And if you do need antibiotics for a bacterial illness, dont skip doses and do take all the pills prescribed to you, even after you feel better. And dont share antibiotics with others.
Imagine a world where you dont know if antibiotics will work, Dr. Knecht urges. Many people dont recognize how important they are. We need to elevate their status and preserve this precious resource.
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Home Remedies And Lifestyle
If you develop flu symptoms, it’s best for you to stay home and away from other people unless they are providing you medical care until you have not had a fever for more than 24 hours .
Unless you have signs of a medical emergency, you do not need to go to the emergency room when you have the flu. If you must be around other people, wear a face mask to protect others.
If you have severe symptoms or if you think you might be in a high-risk group, contact your healthcare provider within the first 48 hours of developing flu symptoms. This will give you a chance to discuss your symptoms and determine whether you need to start prescription treatment.
What to do at home:
- You need to rest when you have influenza.
- You should avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, which can make your symptoms worse.
- Water and clear liquids are recommended to help prevent dehydration. You should avoid alcoholic beverages when you have the flu.
- For sore throat, a warm saltwater gargle or lozenges may help provide relief.
Tomato Flu Vs Monkeypox: Diagnosis
Dr Monalisa Sahu, Consultant Infectious Diseases, Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad said,
The diagnosis of both the disease conditions is mainly based on clinical suspicion with the presence of typical rash pattern, fever, and skin lesions, along with exposure history to a suspected or confirmed positive patient. Confirmed diagnosis of disease conditions is by performing specific PCR for the viruses of the samples like discharge from lesions, skin biopsy from the site of lesions direct microscopic examination of the lesions, electron microscopy, and viral isolation and cultures.
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I Think I Have Influenza Should I See A Doctor
Anyone at a higher risk of serious illness with flu-like symptoms should see their doctor as soon as possible.
Most people who are generally healthy wont need to see their doctor for the flu. As symptoms of the flu are similar to COVID-19, talk to your doctor about testing for COVID-19 infection.
If you have the flu, try to rest, maintain a good fluid intake, and manage your symptoms. This will help you recover and prevent dehydration. Your immune system will fight the infection and symptoms will usually clear up on their own.
If you do need to see a GP for your symptoms, make sure you call ahead first so they can make sure theres no one in an at-risk group around when you have your appointment.
What Is The Treatment For Cat Flu
If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, you should contact your vet. To diagnose your cat, your doctor will give them an exam to check their symptoms and rule out anything else that might be causing their condition. Sometimes, vets may order a nose or eye swab test to confirm the presence of the FCV or FHV virus. The swabs are then sent to a lab where the virus can be identified through culture or PCR tests.
Medications. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics to fight off the infection, or anti-inflammatories to help lower the fever. If your cat is having trouble breathing due to a runny nose, mucolytics can help clear their airways and remove mucus. Eye drops can help heal irritated, sore eyes.
At home. At-home care is really important when it comes to treating cat flu. Your catâs symptoms may cause them not to want to eat or to make their normal food hard to eat. Entice them by giving them small fish, like sardines, or roast chicken in small pieces. Your vet may also prescribe special food to help ensure your cat is properly nourished.
Help your cat out by gently wiping away discharge from the eyes and nose when you see it. You can use saltwater on a damp cloth to wipe away the discharge. Steam helps to break apart mucus, so let your cat come in the bathroom with you while you shower or take a bath.
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In Addition To The Care Provided By A Provider There Are Other Treatments And Home Remedies For Flu That You Can Try To Help Relieve Some Of The Symptoms Of Flu
These treatments include over the counter nasal decongestants and antihistamines, treating the cough with a mucous thinner and cough suppressant like Mucinex DM, and fighting aches and fever with ibuprofen or Tylenol. The providers at PhysicianOne Urgent Care can prescribe stronger cough medications if needed. Multi-symptom medications may have more medication than is needed to treat your symptoms, so again, it is important to be evaluated. However, these will not help you to get over the flu more quickly the way that an antiviral medication can and they are also not as effective at reducing the overall severity of symptoms.
Can Pregnant People Take Antiviral Drugs
Yes. Oral oseltamivir is recommended for treatment of pregnant people with flu because compared to other recommended antiviral medications, it has the most studies available to suggest that it is safe and beneficial during pregnancy. Baloxavir is not recommended for pregnant people or while breastfeeding, as there are no available efficacy or safety data.
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For Now Generic Oseltamivir Is Still A Good Option
Given the results of CAPSTONE-1, when should baloxavir be used, and should it be used in place of oseltamivir? Baloxavir is approved for the treatment of influenza in patients 12 and older who have been symptomatic for no more than 48 hours. The main advantage of baloxavir is that a single oral dose is effective, whereas oseltamivir needs to be taken twice daily for five days. However, both drugs reduce the duration of flu-like symptoms. Oseltamivir is now available generically, and may be less expensive than baloxavir. Therefore, unless a doctor suspects that someone is unable or unlikely to complete a five-day course of medication, oseltamivir remains an appropriate choice for the majority of people with influenza, pending additional data or prescribing guidelines.
About the Author
Daniel Kuritzkes, MD, Contributor
Which Flu Treatment Should I Take To Lower My Fever And Body Aches
Children under 19 should avoid aspirin. Acetaminophen or medicines like ibuprofen and naproxen are over-the-counter options for fever and pain relief. Each medication has risks. Check with your doctor or pharmacist as to which medication may be suitable for you.
Be careful not to overdose! These drugs are often mixed in with other multi-symptom cold and flu remedies you may also be taking. They may also be ingredients in other prescription medicines you may be taking. Your pharmacist can help you check for drug ingredients and interactions.
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What Antiviral Drugs Are Recommended This Flu Season
There are four FDA-approved antiviral drugs recommended by CDC to treat flu this season.
- oseltamivir phosphate ,
- baloxavir marboxil .
Generic oseltamivirexternal icon and Tamiflu® are available as a pill or liquid suspension and are FDA approved for early treatment of flu in people 14 days and older. Zanamivir is a powder that is inhaled and approved for early treatment of flu in people 7 years and older. is administered using an inhaler device and is not recommended for people with breathing problems like asthma or COPD.) Oseltamivir and zanamivir are given twice a day for 5 days. Peramivir is given once intravenously by a health care provider and is approved for early treatment of flu in people 2 years and older. Baloxavir is a pill given as a single dose by mouth and is approved for early treatment of flu in people 12 years and older. is not recommended for pregnant people, breastfeeding people, outpatients with complicated or progressive illness, or hospitalized patients because there is no information about use of baloxavir in these patients.)
What Are Some Flu Medications & Treatments
While most people will recover from the flu on their own, the symptoms can be uncomfortable. Cold and flu medicine can help treat your symptoms. Look for a multi-symptom flu relief formula for best results. Most flu meds are formulated for use during the day or at night. Daytime flu treatment is designed to temporarily ease symptoms like nasal congestion, coughing, minor body aches, fever, and sore throat. These formulations are non-drowsy, meaning that the ingredients are not likely to make you feel sleepy. Nighttime flu remedies are designed to help you sleep by treating the same symptoms. These products also typically include ingredients that may make you feel drowsy.
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