The flu is caused by influenza viruses A and B. There are different strains of the flu virus every year. The flu causes a fever, body aches, a headache, a dry cough, and a sore or dry throat. You will probably feel tired and less hungry than usual. The symptoms usually are the worst for the first 3 or 4 days. But it can take 1 to 2 weeks to get completely better.
Most people get better without problems. But sometimes the flu can lead to a bacterial infection, such as an ear infection, a sinus infection, or bronchitis. Less often, the flu may cause a more serious problem, such as pneumonia. Certain people are at higher risk of problems from the flu. They include young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with long-term illnesses or with impaired immune systems that make it hard to fight infection.
After being diagnosed with the flu but have no complications necessary for admission, return home and rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take medicine to lower your fever. Wear a surgical mask as soon as your diagnosis is confirmed to help prevent spreading the virus.
During this period, avoid going to public areas with large crowds or using the mass transport system. Avoid close contact with others including your family or those living with you. Maintain a distance of at least 1 meter if possible when talking to others. Let those who have close contact with you aware of flu symptoms so that they may seek medical help when necessary.
All patients and family members should practice proper personal hygiene even more frequently, especially in terms of hand washing and personal respiratory tract protection：
Wear masks if you have cough or other respiratory symptoms. Change your mask frequently and throw out the old one as soon as it is contaminated with your oral and nasal secretion.
Wash your hands immediately and thoroughly if there is any possible contact with your respiratory secretion.
Use a facial tissue or handkerchief to cover your nose and mouth when sneezing. You may use your sleeves as cover if there is no available tissue of handkerchief. Change into clean clothes at least once a day.
Return to the hospital as soon as possible if there are the following symptoms：
Feeling out of breath (during exercise or even at rest)
Difficulty in breathing
Cyanotic change (hypoxia: turning purple or blue around the mouth)
Coughing blood
Chest pain
Abnormal or loss of consciousness
Persistent high fever for more than 3 days despite fever medication
Shock or low blood pressure
In addition to the above symptoms, bring your child to the hospital as soon as possible if there is also any of the following symptoms：
You have difficulty waking your child
Decreased activity or motivation to play
Poor appetite and decreased urine output
The sensitivity of the influenza rapid test in our hospital is approximately 69%. However, the test result is only a reference and the choice of treatment should still depend on the physician and the clinical presentation and condition of the patient.
Patterns and epidemic of the influenza virus changes seasonally. For more updated information, please visit the global information network of the center for disease control at http://www.cdc.gov.tw/.
Some antiviral medicines reduce the severity and shorten the duration of flu symptoms by 1 to 1½ days if given within 48 hours of the first symptoms. These medicines are not intended to substitute for getting a flu vaccine each year.
For patients taking Oseltamivir：Take the appropriate dosage correctly and completely to prevent developing drug resistance and ineffective or incomplete treatment effect.
Adults：twice a day, one capsule a time (75mg capsule) everyday for 5 days straight.
Children：dosage will depend on the child’s body weight but should also be taken everyday for 5 days straight.
Possible adverse reactions and should be brought back to the hospital immediately：
Severe nausea or vomiting
There have been reports found in teenagers and adults in Japan where there were temporary psychotic behaviors like self-harm or delirium after taking oseltamivir.
Please read the instructions and information provided in the medication box.
For patients taking Relenza：
Take the appropriate dosage correctly and completely to prevent developing drug resistance and ineffective or incomplete treatment effect.
Twice a day, 2 inhalations each time (2x5mg), with a total daily inhalation dose of 20mg, everyday for 5 days straight.
Possible adverse reactions and should be brought back to the hospital immediately：
Patients with any history of chronic respiratory diseases should be more aware for any symptoms of bronchus spasm or difficulty in breathing.
There have been reports found in teenagers and children in Japan where there were temporary psychotic behaviors like self-harm or delirium after taking relenza.
Please read the instructions and information provided in the medication box.