Seasonal Influenza

By Dave Roberts

SEASONAL INFLUENZA – What it is and how Kansans Can Protect Themselves

If your child gets the flu, they will have usually have a fever. It is very important to give your child medicine to reduce the fever (Tylenol, Motrin, etc-not aspirin). It is not uncommon for your child's fever to last up to seven (7) days.

YOUR CHILD MUST BE FEVER-FREE FOR 24 HOURS BEFORE RETURNING TO SCHOOL.

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Personal Steps to Preventing the Flu

Get a flu shot
Wash your hands often to keep from picking up germs
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs are spread from hands this way.
Stay hydrate. Drink water.
Stay home when you are sick and keep children home from school if they have flu-like symptoms

Influenza is highly contagious and is easily transmitted during coughing and sneezing.

Symptoms include headache, fever, chills, cough, and body aches. Intestinal symptoms are uncommon. Although most people are ill for only a few days, some people have a more serious illness, such as pneumonia, and may need to be hospitalized.

Symptoms usually appear one to three days after infection.

You are contagious beginning the day before symptoms appear and may last a week.

Treatment: Rest and liquids are usually adequate. Prescription anti-viral drugs, including zamanivir, oseltamivir, rimantadine, and amantadine, are available and can reduce duration of symptoms by a day. They do not decrease the serious complications of influenza. These medications must be administered within 48 hours of illness onset.