Patient Education Mansfield Miracles, Paul Daum, MD

Influenza

Pregnant women are more likely to get seriously ill from the flu. Get your flu shot.   You should get vaccinated as soon as you finish the first trimester. (12 weeks). You will not get the flu from a flu shot. Any side effects you get are generally limited to soreness at the injection site, or mild symptoms due to your body developing an immune response.

If you have been exposed to the flu and have not been vaccinated, let Dr. Daum know as soon as possible. Treatment  to prevent infection is indicated, and may prevent or at least lessen the severity of symptoms. Get vaccinated as soon as possiIble.

I have the flu! What should I do?  Call Dr. Daum as soon as you are diagnosed. Antiviral therapy should be started if the suspicion of flu is high, even if the flu tests are negative.  Control your fever with Tylenol, up to 8 extrastrength tablets per day. Push fluids and stay hydrated. If fever of more than 101 persists, you may add ibuprofen at either 200 or 400 mg every 6 hours only for persistent fever.  You may take cool baths to decrease your fever.  If you feel shortness of breath, chest pain, or are unable to keep your medicines down, call Dr. Daum. Hosptalization may be needed to monitor your condition. 

If in doubt, call. If exposed, treat to prevent infection.  If you feel like you have the flu, do not rely on a negative flu test.  The test may be falsely negative more than  one half of the time. Call us!