The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently issued a health advisory about increased flu activity nationwide. The flu can make you sick for several weeks and may also progress into pneumonia. Your symptoms could be serious enough to result in a hospitalization.

If you are well and have not gotten the flu vaccine, there is still time. Vaccines may be available at your doctor’s office or pharmacy. Remember to call your doctor – primary care provider or Landmark provider – at the first signs of the flu as treatment is more effective the sooner it is started.

Use the guide below to recognize the signs and symptoms of the flu.

Common Signs and Symptoms of the Flu:

• Chills
• Headache
• High fever* (above 102F)
• Worse-than-normal fatigue
• Productive cough (with mucus)
• Pain or pressure in the abdomen or chest
• Chills
• Aches and stiffness
• Dizziness
• Inability to urinate, or unusually dark urine
• Nausea and vomiting
  
  * Not everyone with the flu will have a fever.

Home-based Care

For Landmark patients, one of our providers can perform home assessments and help manage symptoms until they stabilize and improve. Landmark providers can do the following in the home:

• Treat with and prescribe Tamiflu, a medicine in capsule or liquid form that helps ease symptoms of the flu
• Evaluate and treat for shortness of breath or chest pain
• Address dehydration by starting IV fluids
• Manage nausea
• Screen for pneumonia by ordering a lung X-ray to be taken in the home

Stay well. Stay home.