The Flu

In the Winter months we often see a lot of patients with the FLU.

What is the Flu? What is commonly called the Flu is actually Influenza A.

Symptoms include:

• Cough
• Headache
• Sore Throat
• Aches / Stomach Ache
• High Fever ( > 102.0 )
• Chills

Treatment for flu is generally symptomatic, e.g., fluids, Tylenol, Ibuprofen. Never use aspirin for suspected flu or chickenpox.

It is often mistaken for Strep, which is a bacterial infection, but with strep there is neither cough nor runny nose. Generally a throat culture decides if it is strep.

We do give shots starting in October to prevent this disease. Contact Dr. Pfanstiel's office for more information.