Besides a Shot: Other Ways to Fight the Flu
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Even with modern
vaccination
efforts, the
flu
infects many people each year. And while most of us just suffer through it and feel better in a week or so, the flu also causes deaths and sends many people to the hospital. But while vaccination remains the best method of control, there
are
other methods of treatment and prevention. Certainly, you can make efforts to keep your immune system strong and reduce your risk of exposure to viruses. Furthermore, certain antiviral drugs can help you shorten the duration and severity of the flu if and when it does strike. These medicines are sometimes prescribed to prevent new infections as well.
Additional Defenses
- Wash your hands often, especially when you come in contact with someone who is sick. Wash your hands for 15-20 seconds with soap and water. Rubbing alcohol-based cleaners on your hands is also helpful.
- Avoid close contact with people who have respiratory infections.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away the tissue after you use it. Coughing or sneezing into your elbow or upper sleeve is also helpful.
- Do not spit.
- Do not share drinks or personal items.
- Do not bite your nails or put your hands near your eyes, mouth, or nose.
- Keep surfaces clean by wiping them with a household disinfectant.
- Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)—an oral medicine for the prevention and treatment of influenza A and B (Some kinds of seasonal influenza virus are resistant to this drug.)
- Zanamavir (Relenza)—an inhaled drug for the treatment of influenza A and B (This may worsen asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] .)
- Amantadine (Symmetrel)—an oral medicine for the prevention and treatment of influenza A (Some kinds of seasonal influenza virus are resistant to this drug.)
- Rimantadine (Flumadine)—an oral medicine similar to amantadine but with fewer side effects, also for the prevention and treatment of influenza A (Some kinds of seasonal influenza virus are resistant to this drug.)
RESOURCES
Centers for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/
Flu.gov http://www.flu.gov/
National Center for Infectious Diseases http://www.niaid.nih.gov/
References
Antiviral drugs for prophylaxis and treatment of influenza. Med Lett Drugs Ther . 2005;47:93.
Carson-Dewitt R. Influenza. EBSCO Patient Education Reference Center website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/pointofcare . Updated December 2011. Accessed August 19, 2012.
Fiore AE, Shay DK, Haber P, et al. Prevention and control of influenza. Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2007. MMWR Recomm Rep . 2007;56:1.
FluMist 60,000-patient phase IV safety study to be conducted with Kaiser. In: The Pink Sheet . Chevy Chase, MD: FDC Report; 2003: 3.
Seasonal influenza (flu) index. United States Centers for Disease Control website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ . Accessed August 19. 2012.
Preventing the flu: Good health habits can help stop germs. United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htmUpdated November 8, 2010. Accessed August 24, 2012.
Influenza vaccination or antiviral treatment for healthy working adults (summaries for patients). Ann Intern Med . 2002;137:I-22.
Live, intranasal influenza 2012-13. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-flulive.pdf. Updated July 2, 2012. Accessed August 18, 2012.
Stephenson J. Progress treating, preventing influenza. JAMA. 1998; 280:1729-1730.
2011–2012 influenza season: disease activity. Questions and Answers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2011-2012.htm#treatment. Updated August 12, 2011. Accessed August 18, 2012.
2011-2012 Influenza Antiviral Medications: Summary for Clinicians. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/summary-clinicians.htm. Updated August 31, 2011. Accessed August 19, 2012.