Important Flu Information
- Category: Community, Health Education Topics
- Posted On:
- Written By: Parrish Healthcare
Parrish Medical Center gets the word out about the flu
The American Medical Association (AMA) recently launched a flu assessment Web portal to help patients gauge their symptoms and to help physicians monitor their patients and manage case flow. Based on guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the symptom assessment function advises patients when they should seek care for themselves or their loved ones. The site also offers assessments relating to vaccines for pregnant women and post-vaccination symptoms.https://www.amafluhelp.org/Public/Consumer/Home.aspx
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/h1n1/news/ama-flu-help-release.shtml
- If you have flu symptoms, it is probably the flu, and most likely HINI-Swine Flu.
- Rapid Flu Testing (using a nasal swab) is not completely accurate (the Center’s for Disease Control states that only 60% of swab tests done are accurate).
- Because of its poor accuracy rate, having a swab test done is of little value, and will be done only if the healthcare professional feels there is a need to do it.
- If you have been sick for two (2) days or less, you can be treated with Tamiflu (Oseltamivir).
- If you have been sick for more than 2 days, the only treatment is the same as for a cold, with a few exceptions: rest, fluids, Acetaminophen or ibuprofen. CHILDREN SHOULD NOT RECEIVE ASPIRIN IN ANY FORM FOR THE FLU.
- You can go back to work or school one day after your symptoms are gone without the use of fever reducers. Healthcare workers should stay home for 7 days or until symptoms are gone, which ever is longer.
If you have additional questions about either seasonal or swine (H1N1) flu, please visit the Centers For Disease Control for the latest in flu information at www.cdc.gov/flu.
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