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 Each
year, at least 30 million Americans experience influenza, or "the
flu," an acute upper respiratory tract infection caused by the
influenza A and B viruses. Although many of these infections are only mild
to moderate, yearly at least 20,000 people in the United States die from
the flu and its complications, and more than 100,000 flu patients are
hospitalized.
What are the symptoms of flu?
Symptoms of the flu usually are vague, occur suddenly and often
include:
- fever above 101
- chills
- headache
- muscle aches
- extreme fatigue.
For healthy people, flu usually is not that dangerous. However, when
flu hits people over 65 or those who have other medical conditions such
as diabetes or heart disease, serious complications such as pneumonia
can occur.
If you are experiencing the symptoms mentioned above, it does not
necessarily mean you have the flu. These symptoms can occur with other
illnesses as well. Therefore, it’s important to check with your family
doctor for an appropriate diagnosis.
When should I receive a flu shot?
"The best way to lessen your chances of getting the flu is to
receive an annual flu shot," says Rick Ryan, M.D., director of
emergency medicine at The Jewish Hospital. "In the United States,
the peak flu season usually occurs between late December and early
March. The best time to receive the flu vaccine is during October
through November."
Who should get a flu shot?
The flu shot can be given to anyone who is at least six months of
age. It is strongly recommended for people at high risk for
complications of influenza, such as pneumonia. These include:
- persons age 65 years or older
- residents of nursing homes and other facilities
that house persons of any age who have chronic medical conditions
- adults and children who have chronic disorders,
such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes or kidney dysfunction.
- children and teenagers (age 6 months to 18
years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and may be at
risk for developing Reye syndrome after influenza
- women who will be in the second or third
trimester of pregnancy during the flu season.
The vaccine is also recommended for people who can easily transmit
the flu to high risk groups. These people include:
- physicians, nurses, home care providers and
other health care workers
- employees of nursing homes and assisted living
or chronic-care facilities who have contact with patients or
residents
- household members (including children) of
persons in high-risk groups.
I’ve heard that getting a flu shot can
actually cause the flu. Is this true?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the
influenza vaccine produced in the United States cannot cause influenza.
The only type of influenza vaccine that has been licensed in the United
States is made from killed influenza viruses, which cannot cause
infection.
How is the flu treated?
Unfortunately for flu, you sometimes just have to wait it out and
treat the symptoms. Get plenty of rest and drink lots of liquids. An
over-the-counter pain reliever, antihistamine or decongestant can help
you feel better while you wait it out. If symptoms persist, contact your
physician. This can be an indication of a secondary infection such as
pneumonia or bronchitis.
"If you are at high risk for complications of the flu, call your
family physician when you experience the first signs of flu
symptoms," says Dr. Ryan. "This may help prevent a visit to
the emergency department or a stay in the hospital."
There are some prescription antiviral drugs available to lessen the
severity and the duration of your symptoms if taken early in the course
of the illness. Four antiviral agents have been approved by the Food and
Drug Administration to treat uncomplicated cases of the flu. Two new
drugs, Relenza and Tamiflu, are approved for the treatment of both
influenza A and B (the two main strains). Tamiflu has also been approved
for prevention in persons who have been exposed to the flu (for age 13
and older). Two older antivirals—Symmetrel and Flumadine—are
approved for the treatment of influenza A and are also effective in
preventing the illness.
You have to see a doctor to obtain a prescription for these agents,
and you must begin taking them within 1 - 2 days of symptoms in order to
be effective. Doctors stress, however, that the antiviral drugs are not
a substitute for the flu vaccine.
Sources: Center
for Drug Evaluation and Research, the World Book Health and Medical
Annual, 2001, and Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Emergency
Services
at the Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati
When
seconds count . . . Count on us
The
Health Alliance hospitals, Christ, University, St. Luke, Jewish and Fort
Hamilton, are dedicated to providing our community with emergency services
of the highest quality. We offer many of the most experienced and most
trusted emergency care specialists—doctors, trauma surgeons, paramedics,
nurses, social workers and other staff. Our experienced staff members are
experts in every type of urgent care, from minor cuts to severe trauma.
The
Christ Hospital
in Mt. Auburn is a Level II emergency facility, handling most medical,
obstetric and traumatic emergencies. The emergency room specializes in
adult cardiac and complex internal medicine care.
The
University Hospital
in Clifton is the only verified Level I trauma center in the area that
treats adult patients. To receive trauma verification, hospitals must meet
rigorous national standards and have the capability of handling complex
multi-system trauma. The University Hospital is also home to the area’s
only center for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The Center for Hyperbaric
Medicine is available 24 hours a day for the treatment of many conditions,
including carbon monoxide poisoning. Additional services include a Rapid
Diagnosis and Treatment Center for patients who require extended emergency
care; a Heart ER program; and a multidisciplinary team of professionals
who evaluate psychiatric emergencies.
The
University Hospital also offers Air Care, the area’s only dedicated
helicopter ambulance service. Our Air Care helicopters deliver superior
care while saving precious seconds that often mean the difference between
life and death. Since 1984, Air Care has provided more than 17,000
life-saving transports to patients within a 150-mile radius of Cincinnati
and beyond.
St.
Luke Hospital East
in Fort Thomas and St. Luke Hospital West in Florence are full
service emergency facilities dedicated to serving the communities of
Northern Kentucky. At St. Luke West, the Pediatric Urgent Care Center
provides immediate medical care to children when their doctors’ offices
are closed. The center is open daily between 4 and 11 p.m.
Serving
Cincinnati’s Northeast suburbs, The Jewish Hospital in Kenwood
offers a full service emergency department that treats patients of all
ages.
The
Fort Hamilton Hospital
in Hamilton is a full-service facility that is expanding to accommodate
additional patients. It includes a fast track area that treats most minor
injuries within one hour.
The
University Hospital, The St. Luke Hospitals and The Fort Hamilton Hospital
also offer a special program called SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner)
for survivors of sexual assault. Specially trained nurses in these
emergency departments provide comprehensive, compassionate care for
victims of sexual assault. In addition, they provide evidence to
prosecutors and law enforcement officials to assist in the arrest and
prosecution of sexual assault criminals.
For
more information about the Health Alliance’s emergency services, please
call one of our hospitals:
The
Christ Hospital
2139 Auburn Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45219
513-585-2235 |
The
University Hospital
234 Goodman Street
Cincinnati, OH 45219
513-584-1000 |
St.
Luke Hospital East
85 North Grand Avenue
Ft. Thomas, KY 41075
859-572-3151 |
St.
Luke Hospital West
7380 Turfway Rd.
Florence, KY 41042
859- 962-5482 |
The
Jewish Hospital
4777 E. Galbraith Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45236
513-686-3204 |
The
Fort Hamilton Hospital
630 Eaton Avenue
Hamilton, OH 45013
513-867-2266 |
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