What should I do if I get the flu?
  • Stay home if you are sick
  • Get plenty of rest
  • Drink plenty of liquids
  • Avoid using alcohol and tobacco
  • Take medication to relieve the symptoms of flu
  • Good respiratory hygiene should be encouraged, including washing of hands

Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms. Giving aspirin to children or teenagers with influenza can result in a rare, but serious illness called Reye Syndrome. Children or teenagers with the flu should take medicines that contain no aspirin to relieve symptoms.

Influenza is caused by a virus; therefore antibiotics (like penicillin) do not work to cure it. The best way to prevent the flu is to get flu shot each fall, before flu season begins. In this community the best time is during the months of October and November, since the worst part of our flu season is usually January and February. Since influenza viruses can change each year, influenza vaccines must be developed for each season, and yearly influenza vaccination is needed for protection.

Show All Answers

1. What is influenza (the flu)?
2. What are the symptoms of influenza?
3. What are some complications of influenza?
4. How is the influenza virus spread from one person to another?
5. Is influenza contagious?
6. What should I do if I get the flu?
7. How do you keep from getting the flu?