You and the Flu

People of any age can get the flu, and illness usually lasts two to seven days, sometimes longer in the elderly and in people with chronic diseases. Most people who get the flu are ill for only a few days. However, some people can become very ill, possibly developing complications and requiring hospitalization.

How to care for yourself at home

Most people in Ontario who develop the flu will be sick for a few days with fever and cough and then get better. If you develop flu symptoms – sudden fever or chills, cough or shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue (lack of energy), muscle or joint aches – there are several things you can do to help you feel better and keep the flu from spreading.

1. Treat your fever

If you have a fever:

• – Dress in lightweight clothing and keep the room temperature around 20C (68F).
• – Drink lots of fluids, such as water, fruit juice (not fruit drinks), milk and herbal teas. If your urine (pee) is darker than usual, you need to drink more.
• – Avoid drinks with caffeine (e.g., coffee) as caffeine makes you lose fluids from your body.
• – Take basic pain or fever relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Advil®) or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA or Aspirin®) unless your physician has instructed you not to. Note: Do NOT give acetylsalicylic acid (ASA or Aspirin®), or any cold medicine that has ASA, to children or teenagers under the age of 18.

2. Treat your other flu symptoms

Some suggestions to treat your other flu symptoms may include:

• – Get plenty of rest.
• – Take cough medicine – especially if you have a dry cough.
• – Take a warm bath with epsom salts.
• – Gargle with a glass of warm water or suck on sugarless hard candy or lozenges.
• – Use saline drops, spray or decongestants
• – Use a hot water bottle or heating pad for short periods of time to reduce muscle pain.
• – Ask your pharmacist for advice if you buy over-the-counter medicine.

3. Protect others from flu

If you have flu symptoms, you may be contagious for up to a week. Children and people who are very ill may be contagious for up to 10 days. To protect others and reduce the spread of the flu:

• – Stay home from school or work and limit contact with others.
• – Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after sneezing or coughing.
• – Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your upper sleeve, not your hand. Dispose of tissues immediately and wash your hands.
• – Keep commonly touched surfaces clean and disinfected.
• – Avoid sharing anything that may carry germs such as towels, lipsticks, cigarettes and drinks.
• – If you live alone, contact a friend or family member to help if you are too sick to buy
• groceries or go to the pharmacy.

When should you seek medical advice?

Use Ontario’s influenza assessment tool to see whether you need medical care (visit www.ontario.ca/flu).  Call Telehealth Ontario or your health care provider if you have flu symptoms and have any of the following diseases or conditions that may increase your risk for complications:

• – A chronic disease that increases your risk of complications from the flu, such as heart disease, a liver condition, a lung condition, diabetes or asthma.
• – Diseases or treatments that affect the immune system such as HIV/AIDS, organ transplant or cancer.
• – Pregnant women or women up to 6 weeks after having delivered.
• – Children under 5 years of age (the risk is greater for children under 2 years old).
• – Children under 18 years of age on longterm acetylsalicylic acid therapy.
• – Very overweight.
• – Live in a rural/ isolated area far from a hospital.
• – Over the age of 65.
• – Live in a nursing home or a retirement home.

If you don’t have any of the risk factors listed above, you may be able to take care of yourself at home if you have the flu.  However, if you do not start to feel better in a few days, you have more severe symptoms, or your symptoms get worse, call Telehealth Ontario or contact your health care provider.

Go to the nearest hospital emergency department or call 911 RIGHT AWAYif you have any of the following symptoms:

• – Difficulty breathing / shortness of breath when doing very little or resting.
• – Continuous vomiting or severe diarrhea with signs of dehydration such as dry tongue, dry mouth, decreased peeing (no urine for the past 6 to 8 hours), or very yellow/orange urine.
• – Stiff neck and eyes sensitive to light.
• – Seizures or convulsions.
• – Confusion or disorientation.

The above information was compiled using information provided on the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care’s website.  For further information about the flu please go to http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/publichealth/flu/about_flu.aspx