Avoiding The “Sick Cycle” (NAPSA)—Theflu is nothing to sneeze at. Affecting more than 40 million Americans, the flu can be more than just a nuisance, putting even healthy people out of commission for a week or longer. The spread of flu in close quarters such COLD Cold symptoms are generally less severe than flu symptoms. People with the cold commonly experience a stuffy nose, productive cough (producing mucus),slight tirednessan\d limited body aches. In general the flu is more severe than the common cold. Flu symptoms usually come on quickly (in 3-6 hours) and consist of fever, body aches, dry cough(not producing mucus), and as a household, school or work- place can lead to a “sick cycle” that can last for weeks, even months. That’s why Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines emphasizethreetips: 1. get a vaccination 2. take prescription antiviral medication 3. practice good hygiene. Dr. Donald Perlman, family health and flu expert at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, explains how easy it can be to break the flu “sick cycle.” Vaccination Thefirst line of defense against the flu is vaccination. It’s never too late in the season to get vaccinated. Visit www.cdc.gov for a vaccine clinic nearby. Prescription Medication: Don’t Take the Flu Lying Down If someone does get the flu, he or she doesn’t have to suffer. Medications called antivirals are available with a doctor’s prescription. If taken in the first 12 to 48 hours of feeling sick, the medications treat Q the flu and help you get better sooner. The CDC recommends two antivirals—Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir). Tamiflu is available in pill or liquid suspension. Relenza is inhaled. Doctors can also prescribe an antiviral to someone who has been exposed to the flu. When administered within 48 hours of exposure, Tamiflu is up to 92 percent effective at preventing flu in adults and 82 percent effective in children. In other words, when one person in the house gets the flu, medications can actually help stop everyone else from gettingit. Good Hygiene To keep the flu at bay and limit the spread of germs: wash handsfrequently * cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing avoid sharing drinks, silverware and mobile phones. For more information on avoiding the flu “sick cycle,” visit www-.flufacts.com.
