Your nose is red like Rudolph’s, head spinning like a dreidel and you’re feeling as congested as holiday traffic. One moment you are chillin’ like Frosty and the next you are as warm as a chestnut roasting on an open fire. Either you drank too much eggnog or , ate too many latkes, or flu season has arrived.

Common symptoms
Influenza classically presents with a rapid onset of fever and chills, headache, malaise, muscle aches, and dry cough. Respiratory symptoms usually follow, such as a sore throat, nasal congestion and runny nose. If you have been naughty, Santa may not bring you any presents and you may also suffer from red eyes, stomach pains, nausea and vomiting. In young infants, influenza may result in hospitalization, croup, bronchiolitis or pneumonia.

Listen to your mom
How many times has your mom told you to cover your mouth when you cough and wash your hands after you blow your nose? Either your mom was formerly the head of the Center for Disease Control or just really smart. It turns out that influenza is spread by microscopic droplets from coughing and sneezing or from direct contact with snot and saliva.

A person is most contagious 24 hours before the onset of symptoms and during the most symptomatic periods. Shedding of the virus in nasal secretions can continue for at least a week, sometimes longer in small children. The incubation period is generally one1 to 3three days from the time of exposure.

Grandma’s chicken soup
Since influenza is a viral infection, antibiotics will not be effective in the treatment of primary influenza infection. If a secondary bacterial infection occurs, such as an ear infection or pneumonia, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic.

The treatment of influenza is largely supportive. Drinking fluids will help maintain hydration, while Tylenol or ibuprofen will help control fever and muscle aches. Over- the- counter cough and cold remedies may also help reduce symptoms. Scientific studies have shown that your grandmother’s chicken soup really is effective in shortening the duration of your illness.

If she diagnoses your flu diagnosed within the first 48 hours, your doctor may recommend an antiviral medication. Amantadine can be given to children older than 1 year of age and, if started within 48 hours of the first symptoms, may reduce the severity of influenza type A. A newer generation of antiviral medications include an inhaled powder, zanamivir, which can be used in children 7 years and older. Oseltamivir, an oral medication, can be given to children 1 year and older and has been found to reduce the duration of symptoms by 1- to 2 days if initiated within the first 48 hours of the first signs of illness. These newer agents cover influenza types A and B.

The flu Sshot
The influenza vaccine may be up to 80 percent% effective in preventing influenza. Traditional targets for the flu vaccine include children with medical conditions such as asthma,, cystic fibrosis,, heart disease,, diabetes,, sickle cell anemia, kidney dysfunction, immunodeficiency and disease states that require long-term aspirin therapy.

Children in the age range of 6 months to 2 years are strongly encouraged to receive the flu vaccine. Hospitalization rates in this age group are second only to adults 65 years and older. The safety of the flu vaccine has not been established for children less than 6 months of age, however but it is recommended that all close contacts and family members receive the flu vaccine to help keep their children better insulated from exposure.

Other recommended groups include, pregnant women during the second and third trimesters, breastfeeding moms, the elderly, close contacts and family members of high-risk individuals, and anyone else who works with or cares for children.
Children under the age of younger than 9, who are receiving the flu vaccine for the first time, are encouraged to return for a booster shot one month later to help boost immunity. The flu vaccine does not cause the flu.

Ahhh-choooo !
Remember that not all that coughs, sneezes, aches and vomits is are caused by influenza. YIf you’re vaccinated, you may still catch colds other than influenza, because the influenza vaccine only protects against certain strains of influenza.

The best way to prevent illness is to cover your mouth, wash your hands and thank your grandmother for her chicken soup!