Influenza
Preventing the Flu
Cold and flu viruses spread mainly when someone who has a cold or the flu coughs or sneezes, potentially propelling virus-laden respiratory droplets several feet through the air. You can become infected by inhaling these droplets or by touching a surface that has been contaminated by these droplets (like a desk, doorknob or keyboard) and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
How to Avoid Getting Colds and Flu
Get a flu shot every fall.
Keep your hands clean. Carry alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and use it often. See The proper way to wash your hands below.
Cough or sneeze into your elbow or sleeve. When you use a tissue, throw it in the trash immediately.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Don't eat, drink, or smoke after others.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick, especially if they have fever, cough, and a sore throat.
Get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods.
The Proper Way to Wash your Hands
If you have to touch a dispenser to get a paper towel, get it BEFORE you wash your hands, or operate the dispenser with your elbow.
Use soap and warm water.
Wash the front and back of your hands, your thumbs, between your fingers, and around your fingernails for 15-20 seconds -- the equivalent of singing two verses of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."
Rinse and dry your hands thoroughly. Push the "start" button of all dryers with your elbow.
If possible, use a paper towel to turn off the water and open the door. Toss it in the nearest waste basket.
View a Video on Proper Handwashing Techniques from the CDC
Flu Symptoms / What to do if you think you have the flu.
The symptoms of influenza generally include:
Fever greater than 100° F
Cough
Sore throat
Body aches
Headache
Runny or stuffy nose
Extreme fatigue
Illnesses with a lot of nasal congestion and mild fever are probably not the flu. People may have only one or two symptoms besides a fever, or they may have many.
Most people who have the flu recover without needing medical treatment. But serious complications like pneumonia can occur and may be more likely in certain people such as those who:
are age 65 or older;
have a chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except high blood pressure alone), kidney, liver, blood (including sickle cell disease) or metabolic (including diabetes) disorder and/or a neurological disorder (including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscles such as cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, stroke)
have a suppressed immune system, including that caused by medications or HIV infection;
are pregnant or within 2 weeks after delivery;
are age 19 or younger and are on long-term aspirin therapy; and/or
are morbidly obese (body-mass index of 40 or greater)
If You Have Flu Symptoms
Stay home or in your room and limit contact with others, except to get medical care if needed.
Get lots of rest.
Drink plenty of non-caffeinated fluids (such as water, juice, tea, sports drinks) to prevent dehydration.
Avoid alcohol.
Eat well balanced, nutritious foods.
Ask a friend to bring you food to limit your contact with others.
If you live in a residence hall, ask your RA how you can have meals delivered to your room.
Monitor your temperature. Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without having to use fever-reducing medications.
Ease your symptoms with over-the-counter medications and the home remedies, on the chart below.
Medical Treatment of the Flu
Antibiotics aren't effective against the flu. The flu is caused by viruses, and antibiotics don't kill viruses. However, if a secondary bacterial infection develops because of the flu (e.g. pneumonia, bronchitis, a serious sinus infection, etc.), a healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics for the bacterial infection.
Some prescription anti-viral drugs can help reduce the severity and duration of the flu if started within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms.
To get help determining whether your flu symptoms need medical attention or if you can care for them at home, call your doctor.
Remedy: Why
Rest: Your body needs energy to fight off infection, so getting enough rest may help speed your recovery time.
Avoid close contact: When someone with a cold or the flu coughs or sneezes, viruses can travel up to six feet through the air.
Drink lots of fluids: Drinking plenty of non-caffeinated beverages (water, juice, teas, and sports drinks) prevents dehydration and loosen mucus, which can ease congestion and make coughing productive.
Humidifiers or shower steam: Warm, moist air can relieve congestion and make it easier to breathe.
Tissues: Instead of a handkerchief, use disposable tissues. Don't lay used tissues on surfaces like a desk or nightstand. Toss them directly into a wastebasket to avoid spreading the virus.
Chicken soup: Chicken soup contains a mucus-thinning amino acid called cysteine. Some research shows that chicken soup may help control congestion-causing cells called neutrophils.
Hot tea: Hot liquids help thin mucous and loosen congestion. Some hot liquids can soothe a sore throat.
Saline nasal spray/wash: Use a saline nasal spray or wash to help break down sinus congestion and remove virus particles and bacterial from your nasal passages. You can buy them in any drugstore or make your own saline wash to use with a neti pot.
Warm salt water gargle: Gargling with warm salt water can moisten a sore or scratchy throat and temporarily relieve pain. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water four times daily. (Don't swallow the salt water, but spit it out.)
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for fever , sore throat, body aches*: To reduce pain and discomfort so you can rest.
Decongestant*: For sinus congestion that keeps you from getting enough rest when the above suggestions do not help.
Cough drops, expectorant*: If coughing keeps you from getting enough rest.
*CAUTION - Many cold and cough medicines contain acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Check the active ingredients and take no more than one medicine containing acetaminophen at a time. Ask a pharmacist to help you find the right medication.
Courtesy of University Health Services, The University of Texas at Austin.
Published by the University of Texas at Austin University Health Services.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
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