DO YOU HAVE FLU?

There is a lot of flu visiting the homes of Elkmont this week.  This certainly shouldn't surprise anyone considering that Alabama is one of the four red (highest amount of flu cases) states right now.

Other ways to help

• Give fever-reducing medicines that are right for the person's age, after consulting a physician, including Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen and Aspirin.
• Keep the room comfortably cool.
• Make sure they are wearing light-weight clothing.
• Have them drink fluids, especially water.
• Considering sponging them with lukewarm water if they have a high fever.

Prevent Dehydration

Dehydration can occur if you do not drink enough fluids, or if you have a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting. To prevent dehydration, you can

• Drink plenty of fluids like water, fruit or vegetable juices, soups and broths; Gatorade for adults and Pedialyte for kids.
• Do not drink caffeine or alcohol.
• Keep drinks the sick person likes close to them so they can take small sips often.
• Continue breastfeeding a child who is nursing.

Help Reduce Body Aches and Tiredness

Body aches are also a common symptom of the flu. To help reduce body aches, headaches and tiredness, you may want to

• Give the sick person medicine. The same medicine you give them for a fever will also help with their other symptoms.
• Help change their position in bed when they are awake.
• Help them get out of bed to take a short walk around the room (only two or three times each day).
• Make sure it is quiet and calm in the room so they can relax.

Help with Stuffy Nose, Sore Throat and Dry Cough

To help with a stuffy nose, sore throat and dry cough, you may want to

• Use a clean, cool-mist humidifier or steam from a hot shower or bath. This helps keep the nose and throat moist.
• Ask anyone who smokes not to smoke in the house.
• Use breathing strips for people having trouble breathing through their nose. Be sure to follow package instructions.
• Use a saline spray or saltwater rinse in the nose. Only do this for older children or adults.
• Have the sick person sit up or keep their head raised to help reduce stuffiness. Crib mattresses and children's beds can be raised slightly.
• Gargle with salt water several times a day to help reduce a sore throat or cough. To make salt water, mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water.

- See more at: http://www.bidmc.org/YourHealth/FluFacts/Caring-for-flu.aspx#sthash.ZUzEjf0f.dpuf

You should call a doctor if

• A person of any age has a fever for more than 3 days;
• A person under 3 months old has a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher;
• A person 3 to 5 months old has a fever of 102 degrees or higher;
• A person over 5 years old has a fever of 104 degrees or higher.

Other ways to help 

• Give fever-reducing medicines that are right for the person's age, after consulting a physician, including Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen and Aspirin. Don't give aspirin to children under 12.
• Keep the room comfortably cool.
• Make sure they are wearing light-weight clothing.
• Have them drink fluids, especially water.
• Considering sponging them with lukewarm water if they have a high fever. 
• Might consider Oscillococcinum (homeopathic medicine) if you are treating the flu within the first 36 hours.  Hill Spirit found some at Walgreens.

Prevent Dehydration

Dehydration can occur if you do not drink enough fluids, or if you have a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting. To prevent dehydration, you can

• Drink plenty of fluids like water, fruit or vegetable juices, soups and broths; Gatorade for adults and Pedialyte for kids.
• Do not drink caffeine or alcohol.
• Keep drinks the sick person likes close to them so they can take small sips often.
• Continue breastfeeding a child who is nursing.

Help Reduce Body Aches and Tiredness

Body aches are also a common symptom of the flu. To help reduce body aches, headaches and tiredness, you may want to

• Give the sick person medicine. The same medicine you give them for a fever will also help with their other symptoms. Don't give aspirin to children under 12.
• Help change their position in bed when they are awake.
• Help them get out of bed to take a short walk around the room (only two or three times each day).
• Make sure it is quiet and calm in the room so they can relax.

Help with Stuffy Nose, Sore Throat and Dry Cough

To help with a stuffy nose, sore throat and dry cough, you may want to

• Use a clean, cool-mist humidifier (use distilled water) or steam from a hot shower or bath. This helps keep the nose and throat moist.
• Ask anyone who smokes not to smoke in the house.
• Use a saline spray or saltwater rinse in the nose. Only do this for older children or adults. If you make your own rinse, be sure to use distilled water.
• Have the sick person sit up or keep their head raised to help reduce stuffiness. Crib mattresses and children's beds can be raised slightly.
• Gargle with salt water several times a day to help reduce a sore throat or cough. To make salt water, mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water. 
•  SOURCE: HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL TEACHING HOSPITAL

Other ways to help

• Give fever-reducing medicines that are right for the person's age, after consulting a physician, including Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen and Aspirin.
• Keep the room comfortably cool.
• Make sure they are wearing light-weight clothing.
• Have them drink fluids, especially water.
• Considering sponging them with lukewarm water if they have a high fever.

Prevent Dehydration

Dehydration can occur if you do not drink enough fluids, or if you have a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting. To prevent dehydration, you can

• Drink plenty of fluids like water, fruit or vegetable juices, soups and broths; Gatorade for adults and Pedialyte for kids.
• Do not drink caffeine or alcohol.
• Keep drinks the sick person likes close to them so they can take small sips often.
• Continue breastfeeding a child who is nursing.

Help Reduce Body Aches and Tiredness

Body aches are also a common symptom of the flu. To help reduce body aches, headaches and tiredness, you may want to

• Give the sick person medicine. The same medicine you give them for a fever will also help with their other symptoms.
• Help change their position in bed when they are awake.
• Help them get out of bed to take a short walk around the room (only two or three times each day).
• Make sure it is quiet and calm in the room so they can relax.

Help with Stuffy Nose, Sore Throat and Dry Cough

To help with a stuffy nose, sore throat and dry cough, you may want to

• Use a clean, cool-mist humidifier or steam from a hot shower or bath. This helps keep the nose and throat moist.
• Ask anyone who smokes not to smoke in the house.
• Use breathing strips for people having trouble breathing through their nose. Be sure to follow package instructions.
• Use a saline spray or saltwater rinse in the nose. Only do this for older children or adults.
• Have the sick person sit up or keep their head raised to help reduce stuffiness. Crib mattresses and children's beds can be raised slightly.
• Gargle with salt water several times a day to help reduce a sore throat or cough. To make salt water, mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water.

- See more at: http://www.bidmc.org/YourHealth/FluFacts/Caring-for-flu.aspx#sthash.ZUzEjf0f.dpuf

Other ways to help

• Give fever-reducing medicines that are right for the person's age, after consulting a physician, including Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen and Aspirin.
• Keep the room comfortably cool.
• Make sure they are wearing light-weight clothing.
• Have them drink fluids, especially water.
• Considering sponging them with lukewarm water if they have a high fever.

Prevent Dehydration

Dehydration can occur if you do not drink enough fluids, or if you have a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting. To prevent dehydration, you can

• Drink plenty of fluids like water, fruit or vegetable juices, soups and broths; Gatorade for adults and Pedialyte for kids.
• Do not drink caffeine or alcohol.
• Keep drinks the sick person likes close to them so they can take small sips often.
• Continue breastfeeding a child who is nursing.

Help Reduce Body Aches and Tiredness

Body aches are also a common symptom of the flu. To help reduce body aches, headaches and tiredness, you may want to

• Give the sick person medicine. The same medicine you give them for a fever will also help with their other symptoms.
• Help change their position in bed when they are awake.
• Help them get out of bed to take a short walk around the room (only two or three times each day).
• Make sure it is quiet and calm in the room so they can relax.

Help with Stuffy Nose, Sore Throat and Dry Cough

To help with a stuffy nose, sore throat and dry cough, you may want to

• Use a clean, cool-mist humidifier or steam from a hot shower or bath. This helps keep the nose and throat moist.
• Ask anyone who smokes not to smoke in the house.
• Use breathing strips for people having trouble breathing through their nose. Be sure to follow package instructions.
• Use a saline spray or saltwater rinse in the nose. Only do this for older children or adults.
• Have the sick person sit up or keep their head raised to help reduce stuffiness. Crib mattresses and children's beds can be raised slightly.
• Gargle with salt water several times a day to help reduce a sore throat or cough. To make salt water, mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water.

- See more at: http://www.bidmc.org/YourHealth/FluFacts/Caring-for-flu.aspx#sthash.ZUzEjf0f.dpuf