Flu

What is the flu?

The flu is an illness caused by a virus. It’s often associated with unpleasant symptoms – especially when untreated. 

Flu affects your respiratory system, including the throat, nose, and lungs. Its symptoms often go away on their own over time, but in other cases, flu can cause severe or life-threatening complications. See Stephanie Silva or Jennifer Picone if you have severe or long-lasting flu symptoms. 

What are the symptoms of the flu?

The flu can cause the following symptoms:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Muscle aches
• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Headaches
• Chills
• Sweats
• Eye pain
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Vomiting and diarrhea are more common in children than in adults with the flu. Your symptoms could be mild or severe and debilitating in some instances.

What are the risk factors for getting the flu?

Anyone can contract the flu, especially during the colder winter months. Flu spreads from person to person via close personal contact and water droplets in the air after coughing, sneezing, or even talking. Touching shared surfaces or sharing personal items, then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, are additional flu risk factors.

Pregnant women, babies, young children, older adults, and other people with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to getting the flu or experiencing severe symptoms. 

How is the flu diagnosed?

Our providers diagnose the flu, or similar conditions, using a simple throat or nasal swab. They also discuss your medical history and symptoms, checks your vital signs, and completes a physical exam before developing a customized treatment plan. 

You may speak with Stephanie Silva or Jennifer Picone virtually via telemedicine rather than attending in-person office visits. 

How are flu symptoms treated?

The most common treatments for reducing flu symptoms include rest, fluids, and over-the-counter or prescription medications. You might need IV treatments, breathing treatments, or inpatient hospital care if you have complications associated with the flu – such as pneumonia or severe breathing difficulty.

Our providers follow up with you to ensure your treatment works effectively and changes your plan whenever needed to help you recover as quickly as possible. They also offer flu vaccines to reduce your chance of experiencing severe symptoms.

To get relief from flu symptoms, schedule an appointment at Louisiana Heart and Vascular by phone or book one online today.