Flu Management

Rest is Best – Prepare your Home!

Preparing for flu is not very different from preparing for a storm or power outage. By staying informed, keeping supplies handy and remaining calm, you can fight the flu both before and after it hits.

Stock up on supplies.

• Purchase antibacterial soap, alcohol-based hand sanitizer and disinfectants or bleach to clean doorknobs and surfaces.
• Keep over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin) on hand for reducing fever.
• Clear liquids such as water, hot tea, soup and sports drinks will be useful for maintaining hydration.

Manage the Flu.

Know if you have a fever. Purchase a digital thermometer if you don’t already have one. 98.6 degrees is a normal body temperature. 100 or greater is a fever.

Using a thermometer to collect specific information about a fever is essential when diagnosing and treating flu. Click here to find out how to correctly use a thermometer.

Prevent the spread of germs. Ventilate the house by opening windows and wash linens often in hot water.

Rest is best. Stay at home at least 24 hours after your fever is gone (without having used fever-reducing medicines). Drink plenty of clear fluids like water, hot tea, soup, juice and sports drinks.

Stay away from others as much as possible if you are sick.

When should you go to the Emergency Room?

Go to the emergency room if it is a true emergency. Difficulty breathing, bluish lips or skin color, severe vomiting and/or dizziness, seizures and non-responsiveness require emergency treatment; a sore throat and fever do not. Take young children to the emergency room if they cannot drink fluids, are extremely irritable, or fail to produce tears when they cry.