NCS, POOL, JOHNS HOPKINS BLOOMBERG SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
By Jacqueline Howard, NCS
(NCS) — As millions of Americans hit the street or take to the skies for the holidays, one other seasonal traveler is choosing up velocity: influenza.
Flu exercise is already rising throughout the nation. In the week ending December 13, roughly 4% of visits to well being care suppliers have been for respiratory diseases, and almost 10,000 sufferers have been hospitalized with influenza, in keeping with the newest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, launched Friday. So far, three kids have already got died from flu-related causes this flu season.
Those numbers imply the virus could also be nearer to residence than many households understand. Holiday gatherings may embrace somebody simply recovering from the flu, or somebody starting to really feel sick. Should they nonetheless present as much as open presents on Christmas morning? How lengthy should a go to be postponed earlier than heading to grandma’s to bake cookies?
As flu instances climb, listed below are the flu-related guidelines households should know this vacation season.
If I’m having signs, when should I take a flu take a look at?
There are a number of over-the-counter flu checks out there in the United States, and they are often taken at residence as a nasal swab, much like Covid-19 checks.
Many docs suggest taking a take a look at as quickly as you expertise signs.
“Particularly if you’re a person in a high-risk group,” stated Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious illness knowledgeable at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
“Those persons are people who are age 65 and older, anyone who has a chronic underlying medical condition, if you’re immune compromised, if you’re a pregnant person and very young children,” he stated. “Those are all people who are in high-risk, and once they have symptoms, that’s the time to get tested, because we would have antivirals available to help keep you out of the hospital.”
Flu signs normally begin all of the sudden with fever, chills, headache, physique aches and fatigue, Dr. Pamela Lindor, a pediatrician at Bluebird Kids Health in Jacksonville, Florida, stated in an e mail.
While you should shortly begin remedy and keep away from exposing others when you take a look at positive for flu, “if the over the counter test is negative but your symptoms are severe, consider getting a more accurate test from your doctor or urgent care center,” she stated.
Testing is essential as a result of as soon as it’s decided which respiratory sickness you have, you can then obtain applicable remedy, Schaffner stated.
“Flu is not the only illness we’re concerned about. Maybe you have Covid, and if you have Covid, we have another medication that could help keep you out of the hospital,” he stated.
At what level should I take antiviral drugs for flu?
Flu antiviral drugs, resembling Tamiflu or Xofluza, are prescription drugs, they usually work greatest when began early, ideally inside two days after flu signs start.
“For the flu, if you are ill, the sooner you begin the antiviral, the more effective it is,” Schaffner stated. “There is the 48-hour rule. That is, for it to be maximally effective, you have to initiate treatment within the first 48 hours after you get symptoms. But even after 48 hours – and this is especially true for high-risk people – you can still have some modulating effect of the antivirals.”
If I take a look at positive, for how lengthy should I keep away from contact with others?
As quickly as somebody begins to point out signs, they should keep residence and keep away from contact with different folks to not unfold the virus.
“You’re capable of transmitting the influenza virus the day before you get symptoms,” Schaffner stated. “But nonetheless, wear a mask and avoid other people in your family as much as possible until your symptoms start to abate and you’ve had no fever for 24 hours without using Tylenol.”
According to the CDC, folks can return to their regular actions when, for no less than 24 hours, they haven’t had a fever with out utilizing fever-reduction remedy, and their general signs are enhancing.
“This will usually be at least 4-5 days,” Lindor stated. “Flu is most contagious starting the day before symptoms develop and continuing for about one week.”
If I’m carrying a masks, can I nonetheless be round folks for gatherings?
Some individuals who have signs or fever may be tempted to nonetheless go to household or open Christmas items with family members, so long as they put on a masks, however Schaffner nonetheless warned towards it.
“If you’ve developed symptoms, I think you’ve got to stay home,” Schaffner stated.
“Even if you say, ‘Well, I have these symptoms, but I’ll wear a mask.’ Yes, that will reduce the chance of spreading but not reduce it to zero. And guess what? It’s very hard to eat and drink with a mask on,” he stated. “So, you will indeed be exposing people. And when you get to family members, even when you wear that mask, they’ll be hugging and kissing. These are very close circumstances, so you’ve got to restrain yourself and separate yourself, otherwise you are very much in danger of becoming a dreaded spreader.”
What should family members do if another person in the residence checks positive?
While somebody with flu should take precautions to isolate themselves and never expose others, there are necessary steps their family members can also take to cut back their threat of getting sick.
“Good handwashing is very important to prevent spread,” Lindor stated. “Common surfaces in the house should be disinfected.”
Can I take antivirals to stop getting sick?
Some docs could prescribe antiviral drugs to individuals who have been uncovered to somebody with flu, however they aren’t but exhibiting indicators or signs themselves, particularly if that particular person is in a high-risk group.
“Tamiflu can be prescribed to people who have been exposed to the flu, and is usually taken for 7-10 days to prevent infection,” Lindor stated. “Xofluza can also be used prophylactically, and only one dose is needed, for adults and children 5 or older.”
For instance, a 22-year-old faculty scholar could journey residence for Christmas to go to their grandfather. The subsequent day, after they’ve already visited their grandfather, they take a look at positive for the flu.
“Their grandfather is obviously in a high-risk group. Should the grandfather take Tamiflu for five days? That’s not a bad idea,” Schaffner stated. “In that circumstance, it could very well avert the influenza infection.”
When do I do know whether or not to go to the hospital?
It’s necessary to remain in touch along with your physician as soon as you take a look at positive for flu and expertise worsening signs, particularly if you are in a high-risk group, Schaffner stated.
And along with your physician, “have those discussions about when it is that you need to go to the hospital,” he stated. “But difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, really feeling terrible, temperatures of 103 or higher – all of those things are indicators that you really need medical attention.”
Some different “warning signs” that will require pressing medical consideration embrace “dehydration, chest pain, lethargy, mental status changes, seizures or severe weakness,” Lindor stated. “Confusion, behavior changes, or high persistent fever for over 3 days also warrant urgent medical attention.”
Is it too late to get a flu shot?
There continues to be time to obtain your seasonal flu shot if you haven’t already.
“For all those people out there who are still well, if you haven’t been vaccinated, please get the vaccine. Don’t linger,” Schaffner stated.
“That’s a holiday present to you and to everyone else around you,” he stated. “There’s more than one kind of influenza virus out there, and the vaccine helps prevent serious disease due to three different types of influenza virus.”
Lindor stated that general, the greatest approach to keep away from having the flu disrupt household gatherings during the holidays is “for all family members to get their flu vaccine early in the flu season each year.”
The-NCS-Wire
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