Best Advice for Avoiding the Flu and Flu Recovery

Sept 14, 2009 – While the flu continues to be a popular and concerning topic in our area, it’s best to know the facts rather than try to pick through the rumors. Local experts encourage residents to exhibit caution but to avoid panic about this flu season.

“It’s understandable why many people are on edge about the H1N1 flu,” said Debbie Smith, RN, Infection Control Coordinator at Hendersonville Medical Center. “It’s a new strain of flu and we don’t have a lot of information to predict how it will behave this flu season, plus it has more of an effect on a different segment of the population – young people – than the seasonal flu.”

Specific organized measures can make great strides against the spread of any type of flu, Smith said. These measures include frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, avoiding touching the eyes, nose and mouth and using disinfectants on surfaces. Smith also encouraged all people to get a seasonal flu shot. Flu shots are currently available at retail pharmacies and in physicians’ offices.

“These tips are very simple, but it’s astonishing how this can stop the spread of the flu or any communicable disease,” Smith added.

While many people automatically assume any autumn bug is the flu, even in mild flu seasons, it usually isn’t, according to Smith. Severe colds, allergies and sinus infections are often mistaken for the flu. Flu-like symptoms include fever higher than 100, headaches, body aches, chills, cough, congestion, runny nose and sore throat that last for several days. Sometimes, vomiting and diarrhea are symptoms.

In the event you do get sick with any type of flu, here are some other points to keep in mind:

Don’t go to work. Many people say it’s often easier to go to work sick than it is to take a day off and play catch up, but if you suspect you have the flu, don’t. Think about your coworkers. They don’t want the flu either. Stay at home until you have been fever-free for 24 hours.
Avoid going out. Period. This includes out to eat, to church, shopping or basically anywhere others are gathered. Stay at home, rest and get back up to speed.
Follow your doctor’s orders. If he or she tells you to stay home for a week, stay home for a week. If you are prescribed medication or encouraged to take a certain amount of over-the-counter treatments, take the entire amount the physician recommends.

While the emergency room is not typically the place for routine flu treatment, there are certain cases where it is important to seek emergency care. Go to the nearest emergency room if you experience:

Shortness of breath
Chest pain or pressure
Confusion or seizures
Persistent vomiting or inability to hold down liquids
Bluish lips

For the latest flu information, visit www.Flu.gov or www.CDC.gov

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of providing quality healthcare to its community in 2009, Hendersonville Medical Center is a 110-bed community-based medical center with comprehensive medical and surgical programs including Obstetrics, Cardiology, Orthopaedics and other services. An affiliate of TriStar Health System, Hendersonville Medical Center remains the only Accredited Chest Pain Center in Sumner County, increasing the likelihood of survival in a cardiac emergency by 37 percent. For more information about the services offered and health plans accepted by Hendersonville Medical Center or TriStar Health System, or to request a tour of Hendersonville Medical Center, call TriStar MedLine at 342-1919 or 800-242-5662.