“If you get the flu, the first thing you want to do is manage your symptoms,” says Susan Margletta, M.D., a primary care physician.
Flu symptoms include a sudden onset of:
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Fever
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Chills
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Sore throat
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Cough
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Body aches
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Fatigue
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Stuffy nose
Over-the-counter flu medications
“The symptom that bothers patients the most is often the fever,” explains Dr. Margletta. “You can use over-the-counter fever reducers. They can also help your headache and body aches that are often severe with the flu.”
She also suggests over-the-counter cough suppressants to help manage your cough.
Lifestyle modifications
Besides treating your symptoms with medication, be sure to get plenty of rest and water.
“If you really do have the flu, most likely, you’re not going to be able to go out because you’re going to feel too bad to go to work or school,” she says.
Limit the spread of germs
Do: Isolate yourself
Dr. Margletta suggests creating a “sick room” where you can sleep, eat and watch television. Maintaining a separate space away from others reduces the chance you’ll spread the flu to your family or roommates.
Don’t: Visit the ER
Unless your symptoms are severe, you should put off a trip to the emergency department.
“If you think you have the flu, don’t go to the emergency room,” she cautions. “The flu is typically an illness that you just have to wait out. Going to the emergency room is just going to infect a lot of other people.”
However, if you have any of the following symptoms, you may be experiencing serious complications that warrant a trip to the hospital:
If your fever goes away, but then returns, you should make an appointment to see a doctor.
“It could be a sign that something more serious, like pneumonia, has developed,” says Dr. Margletta. “You need to see a physician in that case.”
Get well soon!
Flu shots are available at Piedmont’s urgent care locations, primary care offices and Piedmont QuickCare at Walgreens locations.
Dr. Margletta practices at Piedmont Physicians Hembree Road, located at 1357 Hembree Road, Suite 150, Roswell, GA 30076. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Margletta or one of our other primary care providers. Save time, book online.