Flu Nosey Question???
Find a Conversation
Flu Nosey Question???
| Fri, 11-21-2003 - 8:04pm |
At our lunch today I noticed some people were missing because they have the nasty bug going around/their kids have it bad, one was starting to get it, one was getting over it.

I've been thinking that this will be a good winter to take supplements, eat well, exercise and get out in the fresh air as much as possible.I'd like to really work at those things and see how healthy I can stay this winter.
Miss P
Live With Passion!
Phyllis
Symptoms of a Cold
Cold symptoms are usually mild and develop 2-5 days after you are exposed to somebody else that is sick. Symptoms may include a fever, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, headache and muscle aches. The runny nose typically begins with a clear runny nose, but after 2-3 days, it may become thick and green or yellow. Symptoms usually worsen over the first 3-5 days, and then slowly go away over 10-14 days.
Treating a Cold
Since it is caused by a virus, antibiotics do not work against the common cold. These types of upper respiratory infections go away on their own and taking antibiotics will not help your child get better any faster and will likely not prevent secondary bacterial infections, such as an ear infection or sinus infection. Although there is no cure for colds, that does not mean that you can't treat your child's symptoms to help him feel better. Extra fluids, a cool mist humidifier, and rest will likely help with some of his symptoms. Younger children, since they can't blow their nose, may benefit from using saline nasal drops and a bulb syringe to help keep their nasal passages clear. Over the counter medications that may help, depending on your child's symptoms, include a pain and fever reducer, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, and a cold medicine with a decongestant and/or cough suppressant.
Zinc lozenges, although commonly used by adults, have not been shown to be helpful for kids and are not always well tolerated and should probably be avoided.
Flu Symptoms
Although flu symptoms are similar to those caused by a cold, they are in general a lot worse. Children with the flu will usually have a rapid onset of a high fever, severe headache and muscle aches, and chills, in addition to a runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, vomiting, nausea, and fatigue.
Flu Treatments
The flu, like the common cold, is caused by a virus, so antibiotics don't work against it. However, there are many antiviral medications that can be used to treat the flu and may help your child to get better a few days faster. In general, they are only effective if started within 1-2 days of your child's symptoms beginning. Flu medications include:
Relenza (Zanamivir) - a Diskhaler that is given by inhalation to children over the age of seven years. It is effective against Influenza type A and B.
Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) - available as a capsule or oral suspension and can be used as a flu treatment in children over the age of 1 years and as prophylaxis for children over age 13 and adults. It is also effective against Influenza type A and B.
Symmetrel (Amantadine) - an older medication that is only effective against Influenza type A and can be used to prevent and treat the flu in children over 12 months of age
Flumadine (Rimantadine) - also only effective against type A Influenza and it is only approved for use to prevent the flu in children under 10 years, and not as a flu treatment. Symptomatic treatments, as described above, may also help your child feel better.
Flu Prevention
The best way to prevent your child from getting the flu is to get him a flu shot each year, especially if he is at high risk of having complications from getting the flu. Many of the flu medications described above, except Relenza, can also be used to prevent your child from getting the flu if he is exposed to someone that is sick with the flu.
We view the flu shot as a cheap insurance vs. being incapacitated should we get it.
Cussette, CL for Family Finances
Visit the Family Finances Website
for links, tips, reading, tools and answers to your financial questions
C
Thank you for posting all the info!!! Deb
JazzerDeb--Dancing Queen
My personal page:
http://pages.ivillage.com/debra_wa/index.html
Get the shot. It can't hurt you unless you're allergic to eggs or thimerosol. It may or may not help agaisnt the flu strains going around this year, but it can't hurt either. The sooner you get it, the sooner your immunity goes up but the sooner it fades away this winter.
I read on CNN that there is a strain of flu going through Texas and Colorado that is very similar genetically to one of the strains in this year's vaccine.
I got mine yesterday. Kind of late, but they wouldn't give it to me while I was battling that cold. I wouldn't wait too much longer if you're going to get it. They say you should get it before the end of November.
Good luck not catching the flu.
Lori
Lori
Lori
Lori
If you want to get the flu shot...go right away. It takes 2 weeks for it to take effect.
I decided not to get it, DH got it.
Grace
fitness4health@yahoo.com