Influenza or the flu is an infection affecting your respiratory tract (the mouth, nose, sinus, lungs/chest and throat). Unlike a cold, the flu can make you very ill and lead to pneumonia, a serious lung infection.
For some people, especially older adults, young children and people with certain chronic conditions, the flu can have serious complications and even be fatal. Each year there are about 36,000 flu-related deaths in the United States.
The flu vaccine is the best defense against getting the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months and older get the vaccine. It is especially important for anyone with higher risk such as:
- Pregnant women
- People 50 years of age and older
- People of any age with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease
- People living in nursing homes
- Healthcare workers
Children age 6 months to 8 years who have not received two doses of seasonal flu vaccine in the past may need to receive two flu vaccines this year.
When to seek treatment for influenza like illness?
Antiviral medications provide some benefit if used within the first 48 hours of symptoms. Routine use of antivirals is generally not advised unless there is a risk of severe illness or there is close contact with individuals at high risk for influenza complications.
Testing and treatment for influenza is considered for the following groups:
- Severely ill patients
- Pregnant women
- Those over 65 years old or under 2 years old
- Immunocompromised patients
- Patients with co-morbidities that increase the risk for severe complications (lung disease, cardiac disease, obesity, etc.)
- Ill patients who live with someone at high risk of severe complications from influenza (e.g. pregnant female, severe immunocompromised, etc.)
- Health care workers