Preventing the spread of the flu:
According to the Centers of Disease Control, prevention of the flu starts with vaccination for anyone 6 months and older at the start of each season in October. Symptoms of the flu initially include body aches, chills, fever, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. Within 2 days, sneezing, cough, sore throat, and rhinorrhea set in. Complications of the flu may include pneumonia, encephalitis, meningitis, and seizures. With any suspicion of the flu, prevent the spread to others by washing hands after touching the face nose or eyes and use hand sanitizer when hand washing not available. Cough should be contained into a tissue or into the sleeve at the elbow since it can be transmitted by air droplet exposure. Do not share utensils and drinking cups. A surgical mask or any simple mask which covers the mouth and nose will help prevent exposure to others. Spreading the flu virus to others is of greatest concern in patients younger than age 2 or over 65 years old, patients in a nursing home, pregnancy, or those with chronic diseases of the lungs, heart, kidneys, cancer patients especially those on chemotherapy, and patients with diabetes. Within 24 hours of onset of symptoms, the physician may prescribe anti-viral medication which may reduce the duration of the illness but in mild cases it is not needed. (49)