Flu information

Need A Physician? If you do experience flu-like symptoms, consult your doctor early on determine the best course of treatment. Provena Medical Group offers convenient locations with same or next day appointments.  Some even offer online appointment requests. 

What To Do ... To Prevent the Flu

Flu symptoms can include: Fever (usually high) Sore throat Headache Runny or stuffy nose Extreme tiredness (fatigue) Muscle aches Dry cough Chills Gastro-intestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (much more common in children)

In addition to getting a flu shot, you can also protect yourself from the flu with these steps suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 

• Clean your hands.  Wash your hands often to help protect you from germs.  Use soap and warm water for 15 to 20 seconds.  If in a public washroom, dry your hands before shutting off the water and use your towel to turn off the tap.  If using a hand dryer, turn it on with your elbow.  If soap and water aren't available, use alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.  It may prevent those around you from getting sick. 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.  Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.  Avoid work, school, and errands when you are sick to help protect others from catching your illness.
• Frequently clean common surfaces such as doorknobs, phones, water faucets and the refrigerator door. 
• Don't share things that go into the mouth, such as straws and drinking cups.
• Stay healthy!  Good habits such as getting plenty of sleep, engaging in physical activity, managing stress, drinking water to stay hydrated, and eating healthy food will help you avoid getting sick during flu season and all year long.

The primary intervention to minimize the spread of the flu and all potentially infectious agents is good hand washing.  As such, Provena Health has developed and implemented a system-wide standard for hand hygiene monitored by Infection Control practitioners, with compliance reported on an ongoing basis. Provena Health hospital and long term care ministries follow the recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, including patient placement considerations.

What To Do ... If You Get the Flu

The CDC indicates most healthy people recover from the flu without complications.  For those that do become ill, treatments are most effective if begun within two days of the onset of symptoms.  The symptoms of seasonal flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue and in some cases, gastro-intestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

If you get the flu, the CDC recommends that you:

• Stay home from work or school, and avoid contact with others as much as possible for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care
• Get lots of rest, drink plenty of liquids, and avoid using alcohol or tobacco.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.  Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it and wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth to stop the spread of germs.
• Take over-the-counter medications to relieve the symptoms of the flu (but never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms, particularly fever).
• Remember that serious illness from the flu is more likely in certain groups of people including people 65 and older, pregnant women, people with certain chronic medical conditions and young children.
• Be aware of emergency warning signs that require urgent medical attention.

Need A Physician? If you do experience flu-like symptoms, consult your doctor early on determine the best course of treatment. Provena Medical Group offers convenient locations with same or next day appointments.  Some even offer online appointment requests. 

Updates from Flu.gov

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