As other parts of the southeast are bracing for winter storms and icy conditions, the Tampa Bay area is bracing for a storm of a different kind. The recent flu outbreak throughout the U.S. has people nervous, and as cases mount in Pinellas County, residents are starting to stand up and take notice of the threat to their own health and the health of their families. This year’s influenza strain is especially bad, and has already claimed the lives of several victims and left hundreds more hospitalized with symptoms. Knowing what to watch for with the flu, and how to keep yourself and your family protected, is vital to making it through this year’s outbreak.
Things to keep in mind include:
- Early symptoms of the flu can be fatigue, fever, sore throat, or upset stomach but can quickly progress into chills, body aches, vomiting, coughing, and more. If you see your child exhibiting any of these symptoms, it’s enough to let you know to keep a close eye on them and be prepared for medical intervention if they worsen. If you feel these symptoms coming on yourself, be aware and don’t wait too long for care if you feel yourself deteriorating.
- Treatment of the flu is really for easing symptoms. While medical professionals can offer antivirals that shorten the duration of the sickness, they must be received within 48 hours of symptoms coming on, and aren’t always available (as they are dependent on age and local need/risk) so it’s important to know how to manage your symptoms at home unless you need medical intervention. Warm showers, drinking plenty of liquids, nasal decongestants, and fever reducers can help. REST is key. Do not overexert yourself if you think you have the flu, and do your best to rest as much as possible until symptoms subside.
- Stay home! We are urging people to stay home if they think they, or their children, have the flu. Isolation is the only way to stop the illness from spreading, and if you head out while you are sick, you are exposing countless other people to the flu virus. If possible, keep infected members of your household isolated in a bedroom, and stay vigilant over hand washing and sanitizing surfaces to avoid spreading the sickness to everyone else in the household.
- When in doubt, seek help. If you feel uneasy about any symptoms exhibited by yourself or a loved one, call your doctor or head to your local hospital or urgent care. The risk of having serious health complications from this flu strain is high, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
While Sessums Law Group is here for your legal representation needs, we also pride ourselves in being your trusted Tampa lawyer, which means we care about our clients. Our injury attorneys want our city to be healthy and look forward to seeing this flu strain pass on. We hope the tips above help you feel prepared for the flu if it hits your home this year. If something else unexpected (like an accident, an insurance issue, or family struggles) hits you this year, WE STAND FOR YOU!