Flu Symptoms and Treatment

Scripps Clinic and Scripps Coastal Medical Center patients can get a flu shot at our flu clinics by appointment or at a regularly scheduled visit at their primary care doctor’s office.

Vaccines cannot transmit influenza. The flu shot contains a killed virus (in the inactivated form of the vaccine). This type of flu vaccine is approved for use in both healthy people (older than 6 months) and those who have a chronic health problem.

The nasal-spray vaccine is made with a live but weakened flu virus that also does not cause the flu. This vaccine is approved for all healthy people (ages 2 – 49) who are not pregnant.

Most cases of seasonal flu will get better on their own without treatment.

But if you experience any of the following warning signs, seek medical care right away:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness or confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Persistent fever

In children, emergency warning signs include:

• Fast breathing or difficulty breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

Influenza is thought to spread from person to person — mostly through the coughs and sneezes of people who have the virus. Studies show that flu viruses can also remain active on common objects for up to eight hours after being touched by someone who is infected.

Take the following steps to help prevent the spread of flu:

Get vaccinated

The single best way to stay healthy during flu season is to get immunized. It’s not too late to get the flu vaccine, even if the flu season has already started. Call your doctor to get the flu vaccine.

If you need help finding a doctor to get your flu shot, call 1-800-SCRIPPS ( 800-727-4777).

Scripps HealthExpress locations — our walk-in, same-day clinics — also provide flu vaccines. No appointment is necessary.

Wash your hands often

Proper hand washing can help remove flu virus germs on your hands. Be sure to wash with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners can also be effective.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

Germs can spread this way.

Stay home if you are sick

Going to work or school can make it easier for the germs to spread to others. If you think you have the flu, stay home and limit contact with others.

Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze

Use your sleeve, or use a tissue — not your hands. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it and wash your hands at the earliest opportunity.

Keeping surfaces clean

Disinfect commonly used areas with a combination detergent and disinfectant product. You can also use a cleaner first and then follow with a disinfectant. Use sanitizer cloths to clean keyboards, phones, remote controls, hand-held games, door handles, steering wheels and other objects shared with others. Also, thoroughly wash drinking glasses and eating utensils. Studies show that the influenza virus can remain viable on objects and can infect a person up to eight hours after being deposited on the surface.

If you get sick with the flu, you should stay home and limit your contact with others. As long as you have symptoms, you’re considered contagious. You should minimize contact with other people until your symptoms are completely gone. Children may be contagious longer than adults.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, except to receive medical care or for other necessities.

According to some studies, the influenza virus can stay alive on objects like keyboards, counters and doorknobs and can infect a person up to eight hours after being deposited on the surface. Keeping surfaces clean and disinfected can help stop the spread of flu.

When cleaning a surface, use a combination detergent and disinfectant product, or use a cleaner first and then follow with a disinfectant.

Use sanitizer cloths to clean computer keyboards, phones, remote controls, hand-held games, car door handles, steering wheels, gear shifts and other objects often shared with others.

Thoroughly wash drinking glasses, eating utensils and tableware.

Protecting yourself with flu vaccination can also protect those around you. It is the single most important step you can take to prevent the spread of flu.