Most of us are doing our best to dodge the flu. If you are one of the thousands of Georgians at higher risk of flu complications, you need to be especially careful.
The checklist of people considered high risk is pretty long: young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women, anyone with a weakened immune system, and people with chronic health problems like lung or heart disease.
Georgia got hit by flu season about a month early, and health officials say the number of flu infections has already hit a 10-year high.
OB/GYN Dr. Dawn Mandeville has been telling pregnant patients, and anyone else at higher risk of developing severe flu complications, to get vaccinated with the inactive form of the vaccine.
Influenza viruses are usually spread through the air, when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Mandeville swears by hand sanitizer, but sometimes, you can do everything right and still get the flu.
"A lot of times this will come, it will rear its ugly head, and it will go away. In pregnancy it may take a little bit longer," said Mandeville.
If you get sick, an antiviral medication like Tamiflu can decrease the severity of your symptoms. You need a prescription from your doctor, and you need to take it within the first 48 hours for it to be most effective.
"A lot of times, that 48 expires before they realize, ‘You know what, I'm really sick here.' So a lot of people miss that opportunity," Mandeville said.
If it's too late for Tamiflu, Mandeville says get some rest, keep up the fluids, and use over-the-counter medications like Tylenol to treat symptoms like fever.
"You need it treat it like it's a cold. Obviously if you get to the point where you have such severe coughing that you have shortness of breath, or you're dehydrated, you can't keep anything down, those are the indications for you to seek medical attention," advised Mandeville.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of misery associated with the flu. You may have fever, body aches, chills, exhaustion, and a pretty bad cough for three or four days. But the symptoms can last a week to ten days.
Some people, especially children, also have nausea and vomiting. It's really important to get a lot of fluids to replenish the ones you're losing.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:27 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:27:37 GMT
Summer in Georgia means mosquitoes—and lots of them. Even if you're just stepping outdoors for a few minutes, you need to protect yourself. But how do you pick the right bug repellent?
Summer in Georgia means mosquitoes—and lots of them. Even if you're just stepping outdoors for a few minutes, you need to protect yourself. But how do you pick the right bug repellent?
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:20:11 GMT
Memorial Day weekend – the unofficial start of summer – is just days away. Thousands of Georgians are planning to fly somewhere, which is great, unless flying panics you.
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Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:51 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:51:47 GMT
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Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:17:24 GMT
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Monday, May 20 2013 6:03 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:03:26 GMT
Sutton Burnett's blog began as a way to share her story with friends and family. It's grown into something much deeper.
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Friday, May 17 2013 6:28 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:28:40 GMT
Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer. A veteran dermatologist says he used to see three to five melanomas a year. Now, he says, he sees that many in a week!
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Thursday, May 16 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-17 03:00:47 GMT
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows millions of American kids suffer from mental health problems. Experts believe as many as 20 percent of American children are affected.
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Hundreds of American troops have lost a leg or arm in Afghanistan because of improvised explosive devices or homemade bombs. It was 29-year-old John Kremer's job to find those hidden bombs, and safely destroy them. That's what the Buford man was trying to do, when one of them exploded right under his feet.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-05-15 22:42:54 GMT
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Friday, May 24 2013 5:55 AM EDT2013-05-24 09:55:55 GMT
The Centers for Disease Control says that every 19 minutes, one person in the U.S. dies from a prescription drug overdose.
The Centers for Disease Control says that every 19 minutes, one person in the U.S. dies from a prescription drug overdose. The state of Georgia is trying to do something about the problem, so they've just launched an awareness campaign focused on education and prevention.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:09 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:09:40 GMT
You might have dreamed about getting the chance to decide which of your coworkers should stay on the job, and which ones need to go.
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Thursday, May 23 2013 9:27 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:27:50 GMT
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Thursday, May 23 2013 8:44 AM EDT2013-05-23 12:44:55 GMT
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Thursday, May 23 2013 7:32 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:32:32 GMT
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It's also a great time to thank veterans for their service to our country—veterans just like World War II American hero Lew Fern.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:31 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:31:33 GMT
You've probably been to a yard sale or two in your life, and you might have found some great deals. But would you know how to get the most out of your own yard sale?
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Thursday, May 23 2013 7:27 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:27:37 GMT
Summer in Georgia means mosquitoes—and lots of them. Even if you're just stepping outdoors for a few minutes, you need to protect yourself. But how do you pick the right bug repellent?
Summer in Georgia means mosquitoes—and lots of them. Even if you're just stepping outdoors for a few minutes, you need to protect yourself. But how do you pick the right bug repellent?
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals raises funds for 170 children's hospitals across the United States and Canada. Click here for more on our local heroes!
