Fight the flu: What you need to know about staying healthy through flu season

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When it comes to the flu, older adults have a disadvantage compared to younger folks: More than half of individuals hospitalized with the flu are elderly, and up to 90 percent of flu-related deaths are people older than 65, says Kim Keser, a family nurse practitioner at Cape Primary Care.

"The immune response weakens with age," explains Dr. Jamie D. Harrison of Southeast Primary Care. "If a senior has influenza, they are more at risk for complications compared to someone 20 years younger."

Lessen your risk of getting the flu by washing your hands frequently, avoiding close contact with people who are sick and, most important, getting a flu shot. The vaccine is said to reduce risk of hospitalization by 70 percent and death by about 85 percent among older adults, Keser says. Even if you missed getting a flu shot in the fall, Harrison says it's still worthwhile to get one midwinter. It takes two weeks from the date of injection for the flu shot to become effective, she adds.

A high-dose flu vaccine also is available to those ages 65 and older; the vaccine contains four times as much of the active ingredient in the regular flu shot, says Keser. For added protection, two pneumococcal vaccines are now recommended for those ages 65 and older to prevent pneumonia.

"Bottom line: Get vaccinated," says Harrison. "If a high-dose vaccine is not available, a regular vaccine is preferred over postponement."

If you are lucky enough to come down with the flu anyway, Keser and Harrison advise rest and drinking plenty of fluids.

Flu symptoms typically include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also may have vomiting and diarrhea, Keser says.

"The flu can make you feel very ill, but complications can develop and make you feel worse," she says.

If you have complications such as trouble breathing, dehydration, dizziness and worsening of chornic conditions such as emphysema and heart disease, it's time to call your doctor. Also seek medical attention if your flu symptoms don't improve after three or four days, or if you suddenly develop signs of a serious problem including nausea, vomiting, high fever, shaking chills, chest pain or coughing with thick, yellow-green mucus, Keser says.

Treatment may involve inpatient care, IV fluids and antiviral medications such as Tamiflu or Relenza, say Harrison and Keser.