News

Oct. 23, 2009

What to do if you think you or your children have the flu

With so much information being circulated about both the seasonal flu and H1N1, sometimes it's difficult to know the best course of treatment. Many people who suspect they have the flu have been going to physician's offices, urgent care centers and even the hospital emergency department.

Unfortunately, that can tie up resources necessary to treat those who truly need medical care. In most cases, people who do have the flu are simply sent home to recover. 

Here are guidelines for adults and children on when to stay home and when to seek medical attention.

Stay home with a:

• Cough
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Runny nose
• Vomiting or diarrhea

Stay home and avoid contact with other people unless your condition worsens. If you are not in a high-risk group, you are likely to recover at home without medical care.

However, seek medical attention if get sick and also fall into the following high-risk categories:  

• Pregnant
• Have an infant less than six months old
• Diabetic
• Have heart disease
• Asthmatic
• Have emphysema
• Have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Experience chest or abdominal pain
• Suddenly feel dizzy
• Confused
• Have severe or persistent vomiting
• Have flu-like symptoms that subside and then return along with a fever and cough

Additionally, seek medical care for sick children who also experience:

• Blue or gray skin color
• Can't keep fluids down
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Won't wake up
• Irritable and don't want to be held
• Have flu-like symptoms that subside and then return along with a fever and cough

Medications designed to treat the flu (oseltamivir or Tamiflu) are not widely available. They are used only for patients who are extremely ill or do not have a strong immune system, and typically only reduce the duration of the flu by a day or two.

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For information on this release, contact:
Paula Davenport at 208-666-2355 or pdavenport@kmc.org