exclusive on STLtoday.com
News |
Business |
Sports |
Entertainment |
Health |
Life & Style |
Photos |
Jobs |
Autos |
Homes |
ShopSTL |
Classifieds
Web Search powered by YAHOO! search
|
Surviving flu season
THRIVE! MAGAZINE
It’s that time of year again. Time for sniffling, sneezing, coughing, wheezing. Time for colds and flu. Ericka Hayes, M.D., a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Washington University, says that the spread of influenza begins with children. Children go to school, get sick, come home and infect everyone else, she says. She suggests that the best form of prevention is a flu vaccination for every child, age 6 months to 18 years. Family practitioner, Kate Lichtenberg, D.O., agrees. In fact, she suggests that the flu vaccination is a good idea for everyone except individuals with an egg allergy. “36,000 Americans die every year because of complications from the flu. That’s a huge statistic when you consider that this is a preventable disease, and it’s the best argument I can make for getting a flu shot,” says Dr. Lichtenberg, who practices at SSM DePaul Heath Center. The Vaccine There are two types of flu vaccine. One is the flu shot, which is inactive vaccine, meaning it contains no live flu virus. “You cannot catch the flu from the flu shot,” says Dr. Lichtenberg, squelching the No. 1 reason people give for not getting vaccinated. The second type of vaccine comes in the form of a nasal spray. It does contain a weakened flu virus; however the Center for Disease Control and Prevention says you won’t contract the flu from this vaccine either. “The thing to understand about the nasal spray is that it’s not advisable for all people,” says Dr. Lichtenberg. “Only healthy people who are over age two, under age 49 and are not pregnant are candidates for the nasal vaccine.” Dr. Hayes adds that the nasal vaccine also should not be given to children or adults with a history of asthma or reactive airway disease and children under age five who have experienced recurrent wheezing. Board-certified in public health, Dr. Lichtenberg believes everyone should get a flu vaccination as their first line of defense against the onslaught of the flu season. “People tend to use the word ‘flu’ for every illness that makes them feel really bad. But there is no stomach flu. Influenza, the flu, is a viral respiratory illness and it has a season. Flu season is primarily between November and March,” says Dr. Lichtenberg. The Symptoms “You know you have the flu when you have high fevers, typically over 102 degrees, body aches and extreme fatigue, and a feeling that you’ve been run over by a truck,” Dr. Lichtenberg says. You also can have a sore throat, headache, and sinus and chest congestion. In fact, it’s the sniffling, sneezing, coughing and wheezing that cause the illness to spread. The Spread “It’s very important for adults and children to practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of the flu,” says Dr. Hayes. She advises: • good hand-washing with soap and water, including above your wrist and between your fingers; • using hand sanitizers when hand washing is not convenient; • covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and immediately following that action with hand-washing or sanitizing; • staying home when you’re sick. “That last one is a hard one, I know,” Dr. Hayes says. But both she and Dr. Lichtenberg agree that when you or your child has the flu, home in bed in the best place to be. “I tell patients who have the flu, ‘you’re home for the week,’” Dr. Lichtenberg says. The Treatment “For adults, there are anti-viral drugs that can be used to treat the flu if started within 48 hours. They may lessen the severity and duration of the flu, but they won’t cure it. Children ages one and up can take anti-flu medication, but generally I don’t prescribe them for kids. Antibiotics are of no use because the flu is a viral infection and antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections,” says Dr. Lichtenberg. Over-the-counter drugs may help lessen the symptoms in adults, but are not recommended for children. “The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that no child under age 6 be given cold medicine,” Dr. Hayes says, adding that the best way to treat the flu is to keep the patient well hydrated and comfortable. “Parents often will worry that their child is not eating enough,” she says. “The real issue is are they drinking enough. When you’re sick, you may not feel like eating. That’s okay, but you have to stay hydrated, especially with a fever. After age two, fluid is fluid It’s that time of year again. Time for sniffling, sneezing, coughing, wheezing. Time for colds and flu. Ericka Hayes, M.D., a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Washington University, says that the spread of influenza begins with children. Children go to school, get sick, come home and infect everyone else, she says. She suggests that the best form of prevention is a flu vaccination for every child, age 6 months to 18 years. Family practitioner, Kate Lichtenberg, D.O., agrees. In fact, she goes as far as to suggest that the flu vaccination is a good idea for everyone except individuals with an egg allergy. “36,000 Americans die every year because of complications from the flu. That’s a huge statistic when you consider that this is a preventable disease and it’s the best argument I can make for getting a flu shot,” says Dr. Lichtenberg, who practices at SSM DePaul Heath Center. The Vaccine There are two types of flu vaccines. One is the flu shot, which is inactive vaccine – meaning it contains no live flu virus. “You cannot catch the flu from the flu shot,” says Dr. Lichtenberg, squelching the No. 1 reason people give for not getting vaccinated. The second vaccine comes in the form of a nasal spray. It does contain a weakened flu virus, however, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention says you won’t contract the flu from this vaccine either. “The thing to understand about the nasal spray is that it’s not advisable for all people,” says Dr. Lichtenberg. “Only healthy people who are over age two and under age 49 and who are not pregnant, are candidates for the nasal vaccine.” Dr. Hayes adds that the nasal vaccine also should not be given to children or adults with a history of asthma or reactive airway disease and children under age five who have experienced recurrent wheezing. Board-certified in public health, Dr. Lichtenberg believes everyone should get a flu vaccination as their first line of defense against the onslaught of the flu season. “People tend to use the word ‘flu’ for every illness that makes them feel really bad. But there is no stomach flu. Influenza, the flu, is a viral respiratory illness and it has a season. Flu season is primarily between November and March,” says Dr. Lichtenberg. The Symptoms “You know you have the flu when you have high fevers, typically over 102 degrees; body aches and extreme fatigue; and a feeling that you’ve been run over by a truck,” Dr. Lichtenberg says. You also can have sore throats, headaches, and sinus and chest congestion. In fact, it’s through the sniffling, sneezing, coughing and wheezing that the illness is spread. The Spread “It’s very important for adults and children to practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of the flu,” says Dr. Hayes. She advises: • good hand-washing with soap and water, including above your wrist and between your fingers; • using hand sanitizers when hand washing is not convenient; • covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and immediately following that action with hand-washing or sanitizing; • staying home when you’re sick. “That last one is a hard one I know,” Dr. Hayes says. But both she and Dr. Lichtenberg. agree that when you or your child has the flu, the sick person belongs at home in bed. “I tell patients who have the flu, ‘you’re home for the week,’” Dr. Lichtenberg says. The Treatment “For adults there are anti-viral drugs that can be used to treat the flu if started within 48 hours. They may lessen the severity and duration of the flu, but they won’t cure it. Children ages one and up can take anti-flu medication, but generally I don’t prescribe them for kids. Antibiotics are of no use because the flu is a viral infection and antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections,” says Dr. Lichtenberg. Over the counter drugs may help lessen the symptoms in adults, but are not recommended for children. “The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that no child under age 6 be given cold medicine,” Dr. Hayes says, adding that the best way to treat the flu is to keep the patient well hydrated and comfortable. “Parents often will worry that their child is not eating enough,” she says. “The real issue is are they drinking enough. When you’re sick you may not feel like eating. That’s okay, but you have to stay hydrated, especially with a fever. After age two, fluid is fluid – even Popsicles count.” “To treat a fever and body aches in adults and children, you can use ibuprofen or acetaminophen,” Dr. Hayes says. These single symptom medications can be controlled – one medication for one symptom – and are proven to be effective. To treat nasal congestion in children, Dr. Hayes suggests using a bulb syringe and saline drops. Saline nose spray can by used by adults. Cool-mist humidifiers may also help. “Just make sure to clean the humidifier frequently with soap and water.” “When you have the flu,” Dr. Hayes says, “you have to treat the symptoms and ride out the illness.”
Write a letter to the editors |
Subscribe to a newsletter |
Subscribe to the newspaper
|
yesterday's most emailed
 
new start career training
Dead end job? Search here for the training you need to revive your career today!
|
