A late start to the flu season is the trend as Influenza B cases are hitting hard and unfortunately sticking around. Rest and fluids is the typical treatment for the flu, but for some strains out there it has been difficult to shake and medical attention is needed. Jenna Link, Administrator at the Warren County Health Department, shares symptoms to watch for and how they compare to the common cold:
“You can look at some similarities and a cold will usually come on very gradually over a couple of days. The flu is, one minute you will be feeling good and thirty minutes later ‘Oh, I’m really starting to feel achy.’ Typically, they will complain more of chills with the flu than they will with a cold. Headache, sore throat, a lot of the symptoms are very similar which makes it hard whether to go to a doctor or not too,” states Link.
The first 48 hours after feeling ill are crucial as that is the window to take advantage of using antivirals to kick the flu goodbye.