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Flu season is upon us, and it’s already proving to be a doozy.
The CDC reports that over the last four weeks, the rates of hospitalizations for the top three seasonal respiratory illnesses have steadily increased. The rate of hospitalization for RSV is up by 60%, and the rate of those in the hospital with COVID has jumped by 51%. But the flu is the bigger problem at the moment, with hospitalizations for influenza increasing by 200% over the past month.1
First things first: If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, now is the time. The Journal of Preventative Medicine and Hygiene found that seniors between the ages of 60 and 69 who are vaccinated for influenza are 44% less likely to die from all causes than those who are not vaccinated.2
Seniors should get vaccinated for influenza, COVID, and RSV to ensure that they have protection against “the big three.” The vaccine might help to prevent infection by these viruses, but even if you do get sick, the course of the illness is likely to be much milder and of shorter duration for those who have been vaccinated.
What if you get the flu despite all your best efforts? For most people, supportive care of the symptoms is the only way to get through the infection. Here are some ways to make the situation easier.
Home Remedies
Staying comfortable at home is an important part of making a full recovery. Home remedies focus on staying as healthy as possible while your body overcomes the flu or other ailments. When you feel terrible, try these:
· Stay well-hydrated. Clear fluids, like water, juices, and broth, are best for hydration. Carry water with you around the house and take a sip every time it crosses your mind. If you are struggling to keep fluids down, go with an electrolyte-replacement drink that will help you make the most of every drop.
· Get plenty of rest. Flu-related fatigue is the stuff of legend. Your body will be begging to rest, so go with it – stay in bed and let your body rest, relax, and recover. The more sleep you can get right now, the more opportunity the body has to heal.
· Eat light meals. Try to eat light meals or snacks at regular intervals. This will keep your energy up, assist with hydration, and give you much-needed nutrients. Go with finger foods like string cheese and a handful of nuts for snacks, while soup makes an excellent recovery meal.
· Treat the aches and pains. You can use over-the-counter pain and fever relievers to treat the aching symptoms. Check with your doctor to make sure which medications are okay to take and how often you should take them.
· Bring the fever down. Fever relieving medications like Tylenol or Advil can help, but check with your doctor to make sure it’s okay to take them. Nibbling on popsicles or getting a lukewarm bath can also be quite helpful.
· Use a humidifier. Putting more moisture into the dry winter air can help loosen your cough and ease respiratory symptoms. A cool-touch humidifier running in the bedroom at all times can make you more comfortable.
· Stretch your body. While it makes sense to stay in bed while you’re so sick, it’s still a good idea to move your body. Gentle stretching can help reduce your risk of blood clots from being inactive and help you preserve a good range of motion. It might also ease some of the muscle aches you feel.
· Control chronic conditions. When you feel so awful, it’s easy to let things slide. If you have conditions like heart disease or diabetes, continue to pay attention to what you need to do to keep those conditions well-controlled.
· Take an antiviral if directed to do so. Your doctor might prescribe an antiviral medication to ease the symptoms and duration of the illness. Only take an antiviral if it has been prescribed to you, and don’t bother asking for antibiotics – those are for bacterial infections, and the flu is a viral infection.
And when you’re sick, remember that an emergency button alarm is your best friend. If you begin to experience any frightening symptoms, don’t hesitate to press the button and get the help you need right away. It’s incredible peace of mind to know that a trained responder is on the other end of the line ready to assist you at any moment.
Should You Get Tested?
It can quickly become apparent that what you hoped was a simple cold is something much more serious. But should you get tested to figure out exactly what that is? The symptoms of the flu, COVID, and RSV can be quite similar and might make you wonder which one you have.
Since the symptoms are so similar among respiratory illnesses and the key to comfort is to treat the symptoms, getting tested might not matter much. But there are times when it’s highly recommended:
· If you are vulnerable to severe illness. Most elderly persons have chronic conditions that make them more susceptible to serious health problems if they get the flu. An antiviral medication can reduce the duration of the illness and help you avoid hospitalization, but testing is needed to make sure you get the right one.
· If you live in a household with someone vulnerable to illness. For instance, if you live in a home with someone who is undergoing chemotherapy, being on top of the slightest sniffle is vitally important. In this case, taking a preventative medication could keep everyone healthier.
· If you are extremely sick. If the virus makes you severely ill or keeps you sick for weeks instead of days, testing becomes important. If you become ill enough for hospitalization, you will likely be tested for a wide variety of viruses to determine the best course of action.
Your doctor might have other testing criteria for you, especially if you have a chronic condition or you are undergoing certain medical treatments. Always follow your doctor’s guidance.
When Should You Go to the Doctor?
Influenza can make you feel truly miserable, but when does it go beyond an awful viral illness to something much more serious? If you begin to experience any of the following, call your doctor right away:
· Difficulty breathing. If your chest feels tight or you have trouble drawing a deep breath, it’s important to get checked out. The flu can easily develop into pneumonia, so your doctor might order a chest x-ray and other tests to see what’s really going on.
· An inability to keep down fluids. This can include vomiting what you drink or being unable to take sips of water due to nausea. Dehydration can be deadly, so if you aren’t able to keep down any fluids at all, you might need to be given supplemental hydration.
· Fever that won’t go away. It’s not uncommon for a fever to spike during a flu infection – and though a very high fever can be frightening and uncomfortable, it usually goes away within a day or so. Fever that continues for several days or one that doesn’t seem to respond to medications to bring it down are both cause for a doctor’s visit.
If you are worried about what you’re feeling or have a sneaking suspicion that your symptoms are getting worse, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your doctor or emergency services. If you are suffering from chest pains or severe difficulty in drawing a breath, it’s time to get help. This can’t be stressed enough!
Respiratory illnesses can take a turn for the worse very quickly, so having some sort of safety net matters. A medical alert pendant or wristband can put you in immediate contact with trained professionals who are ready to assess the situation and help you with whatever you need.
Recovered from the Flu – What Now?
As a general rule of thumb, the flu lasts for about a week, while a cough can linger for weeks or even months afterward. It’s important to remember that when you have the flu, you are highly contagious. Some experts say that you are contagious until 24 hours after your fever breaks. However, the Cleveland Clinic points out that those who have weakened immune systems – like seniors and the elderly – can be contagious for weeks while the body works to clear the infection.3
Though the dangers of social isolation for seniors have been clearly stated, this is a time to embrace being alone. Isolate yourself as much as possible when you have the flu or other respiratory illness. If you must be around others, wear a mask to help protect them as much as possible.
Though it is unusual, it is possible to get the flu more than once in a season. That’s because different variants and strains of the virus might find a way around the defenses set up by the vaccine. Even after you have recovered from a bout of the flu, protect yourself just as vigorously as you did before by following these tips:
· Wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitizer if you don’t have soap and water.
· Wear a mask when you are in crowded areas or avoid crowds as much as possible.
· Stay home if you are feeling sick, whether it’s from the flu or anything else.
· Avoid touching your face while you are out.
· Regularly disinfect surfaces you touch, such as handles, knobs, and countertops.
It’s also a good idea to have an emergency button alert system for elderly adults at your fingertips. If you suddenly feel dizzy or weak, press the button to get help right away. We wish you health and safety during flu season and beyond.
