Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Treating the influenza or flu

Flu and its management

 What should you do if you have the flu?

Follow these basic tips for treating the flu.

If you have been diagnosed with the flu, you should stay home and follow your health care provider’s recommendations.

You can treat the flu with or without medication. When treating without medication, be sure to get plenty of rest and fluids.

Talk to your health care provider or pharmacist about over-the-counter and prescription medications to ease flu symptoms and help you feel better faster. Over-the counter medications may relieve some flu symptoms, but they will not make you less contagious.

Your health care provider may prescribe antiviral medications to make your illness milder and prevent serious complications.

Antiviral medications are approved for adults and children one year and older. On December 21, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the approved use of Tamiflu to treat children as young as two weeks old who have shown symptoms of flu for no longer than two days.

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