By Dr. Jim Wilde
Medical Director, Pediatric Emergency Department
MCG Health System 

If you haven’t already gotten your flu shot, it’s not too late. The good news this year is there isn’t a flu vaccine shortage. This means that you don’t need to make a special reservation to get the vaccine. Typically, those in the high-risk category which includes children between 6 and 59 months, those older than 65, pregnant women, people suffering from chronic illness and those in close contact with these individuals, were able to have first access to the shot. Now everyone who would like to have the vaccine can get one. The best time to get your shot is October and November, since flu season starts in December and lasts through March.

About 31,000 die from influenza annually; most are in the high risk categories, especially patients over age 65. The flu is a contagious disease and is spread when it becomes airborne through coughing, sneezing or talking.

Here are some good tips to help prevent the flu:

1. Wash your hands frequently at home, school or work.
2. Avoid contact with those that are ill or avoid contact when you are ill.
3. Stay home from school or work if you have the flu.
4. Cover your nose and mouth if you cough or sneeze.

Flu symptoms include: a fever of 103 to 105 that lasts three to six days, cough, sore throat, headache, runny nose and muscle aches. Vomiting and diarrhea can occur in children but are unusual in adults.

If you’re otherwise healthy and get the flu, the best treatment is rest and over-the-counter remedies for fever, congestion, and cough. Children under five will benefit from fever lowering medications but cough and cold medicines are not effective in this age group. Antibiotics are not effective treatment for flu in any age group since flu is caused by a virus, not by bacteria. For patients who are not improved after 4-6 days antibiotics are sometimes necessary to treat complications such as ear infections or pneumonia

You should only see your doctor if you experience the following symptoms: fever that last more than five or six days, rapid breathing or chest pain, severe vomiting or inability to pass fluids (signs of dehydration), severe headache combined with sensitivity to light and a stiff neck (signs of meningitis) or disorientation/confusion.

MCG Health System is composed of three organizations - MCG Health Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty of the Medical College of Georgia and the members of the MCG Physicians Practice Group. MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Medical Center, MCG Children’s Medical Center, the MCG Sports Medicine Center, MCG Ambulatory Care Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services. MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia, and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by providing an environment for delivering the highest level of primary and specialty health care. For more information, please visit www.MCGHealth.org.