Do you have the flu?

"The flu" or influenza is a respiratory (lung) infection that can spread throughout the community and commonly occur during the winter or spring.  Normal symptoms include fever, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills and fatigue.

Flu Prevention

• Wash your hands frequently
• Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow rather than into your hands
• Get vaccinated 
• Stay home when you're sick

Seek emergency care as soon as possible if someone has:

• Confusion or can't be woken up
• Difficulty breathing
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Blue lips or skin rash
• Inability to drink or keep liquids down in children
• Fever in an infant under 3 months old
• Excessive irritability

Flu symptoms can last anywhere from 5-10 days and the vast majority of otherwise healthy people will recover from the flu at home with plenty of rest, fluids and over-the-counter medicines.

Click Here for more information about influenza from the Multnomah County Health Department.  You can also get more information about medical emergency preparedness from the Centers for Disease Control at http://www.bt.cdc.gov/.