Flu Symptoms? Tell Your Doctor ASAP!
I just finished my Wednesday evening office hours. My last patient reported that almost 48 hours ago he had sudden onset of headache, body aches, fever and cough; but he had been well prior to symptom onset -- classic flu symptoms.He already missed work yesterday and today. He called me this afternoon, about 44 hours after symptoms started, and I fit him in this evening. His circumstances place him at high-risk for severe infection. A phone call to the pharmacy during the appointment will allow him to start the anti-virus medicine for influenza infection immediately. But I sure wish he had called yesterday so I could have evaluated him sooner.Spread the word -- the antiviral medicines for influenza can only help if started within about 48 hours of the symptoms starting. After that, the virus has multiplied in number enough that the meds won't limit them. The meds only slow down the replicating (ie-multiplying) of the virus early on. If you take them in time, they can help lessen your symptoms, lessen how long you will be sick and lessen the chance you may pass the influenza virus to others.IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF FLU (headache, body aches, fever, cough, fatigue... especially if sudden onset), CALL YOUR DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY so you can be evaluated the first day or so and possibly start the medicines that might help.
One point to consider, of course, is that the influenza medicines are meant for patients who are already quite sick or at the most risk of severe illness, especially those with other health problems (lung disease like asthma or emphysema, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, or if on medicines that weaken the immune system, etc). But I suggest you let your doctor consider your risk and total health, and whether the medicines are appropriate for you -- be in touch with your doc sooner than later.Another thing to remember: many patients who die of influenza have pneumonia from a second infection on top of the initial flu infection. So, if you are being treated for flu, and you are feeling worse, or having problems with breathing, or having other difficulties, stay in touch with your doctor and get re-assessed.
For more information about influenza (no matter if seasonal flu or the 2009H1N1 flu), check these sites:
- http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/vaccines/477.html (good video explaining flu ... FamilyDoctor.org is one of my favorite health sites)
- http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ (has lots of information about both seasonal flu and the 2009H1N1 flu, or "swine flu")
Remember, the most common symptoms of influenza:
- fever
- cough
- body aches
- headache
- fatigue
- sudden onset of symptoms
- other symptoms may include sore throat, stuffy/runny nose, nausea or diarrhea, but those are less prominent.
If you have these symptoms, get in touch with your doctor right away so you can be evaluated, and, if needed, get treatment started as soon as possible.
Finally, below is a link to the CDC's latest flu activity map for the country which is updated weekly. Currently, most cases of flu are due to the 2009H1N1 virus.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/WeeklyFluActivityMap.htm
Stay well -- Timothy Malia, MD
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