2. What is the Flu?
• The flu is a respiratory disease that is spread from person
to person via sneezes and coughs
• It is caused by the influenza virus. Between 5% and 20%
of Americans get the flu each year and new strains of the
flu appear every year
• Unlike a cold, influenza is much more likely to cause
complications, such as bacterial infections, pneumonia,
and hospitalizations
3. Symptoms of Flu
Extreme tiredness
Body or muscle aches
Chills
Dry Cough
Fever
Headache
Sore throat
Remaining hydrated while suffering from the flu is important for your health and recovery. Sick
individuals often lose their appetite due to nausea and do not feel like drinking as much as usual.
Feverish sweats, running nose, vomiting and diarrhea also increase your likelihood of becoming
dehydrated. Replacing those fluids is important for recovery. If you or a sick person in your care is
prone to forgetting to drink when ill, consider keeping a record of fluid intake each hour.
4. When is Flu Season?
The United States experiences annual
epidemics of seasonal flus. This period of high
flu activity is referred to as flu season
While seasonal flu outbreaks can occur as early
as October and last as late as May, flu activity
is generally at its highest between December
and February
If you want to remain up to date with the
progression of the flu in your area, the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention provides a
weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report and a
map illustrating flu activity per state on its
website
5. What treatments are available?
Preventing the flu is much easier than managing it after infection occurs. The CDC
recommends that everyone who is 6 months old or older receive an annual flu
vaccination. There are a few rare exceptions, such as those with allergies to the flu
vaccine or its ingredients. Flu vaccines are available at most urgent care clinics.
Since antibiotics treat bacterial infections, they cannot be used to treat a viral
infection, like the flu. Instead, antiviral drugs can be used to make your sickness
milder and help you improve faster
It is impossible to tell from symptoms alone if you have the flu, which is why it is
important to get tested quickly if you suspect you may have the flu.
6. Thank You!
For more information about the flu and its symptoms, contact Gonzaba Urgent
Care in San Antonio at (210) 921-6000
Also Visit http://www.gonzabaurgentcare.com/urgent-care-services/ailments/flu/
