WHAT YOU CAN DO
What should you do to protect your-
self and others from the flu this year?
Dr. Souvenir suggests:
◗
◗
Get a flu vaccine.
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◗
Wash your hands several times a day
with warm water and soap, especially af-
ter using the restroom and before eating.
◗
◗
Use proper cough etiquette: Cover your
mouth with the crease of your elbow
and cough into your sleeve.
◗
◗
If you do get sick, stay home and
recover. Be sure not to go around those
who are at greater risk for getting sick.
You can remain contagious for up to a
week after showing symptoms.
Beat
the Flu
By Andrea Nagel
Every year
thousands of Americans get sick with influenza. The
coughing, sneezing, fever, aches and pains are just a few of the
symptoms that make us all want to crawl back into bed. For most,
doing just that is the best option when it comes to treating the
symptoms of the flu; but for those who are more susceptible to the
virus, other options are available.
Tamiflu is an antiviral medication used to treat the flu. Similar
to an antibiotic, Tamiflu is used to decrease flu symptoms and
shorten the duration of the illness.
“We live in a society where when we get sick, we go to the doctor
and expect to get medication to make us better,” David Souvenir,
M.D., infectious disease specialist, said. “But in reality not every-
one is the right candidate for medications like Tamiflu. There are
certain populations that get a greater benefit from the medication
than your average, healthy person.”
Those populations include people who have upper respiratory
diseases like asthma or COPD, those who have immune deficien-
cies or people who are in the very early stages of the flu.
“With Tamiflu, it’s best to initiate treatment sooner rather than
later,” Dr. Souvenir said. “There is a much greater benefit from
starting it within the first 48 hours.”
So, why shouldn’t everyone be prescribed Tamiflu upon diagno-
sis? Antimicrobial stewardship. This is a term used by physicians
and pharmacists that means making the appropriate choice and
use of medications for the proper patient and duration of the
illness.
Dr. Souvenir said it is important not to overprescribe medications
in order to prevent strains of diseases from changing and becoming
resistant to current medications.
“The best way to protect yourself from influenza is to get vacci-
nated,” Dr. Souvenir said.
While the flu vaccine is not 100 percent effective, it is currently
the best option available to prevent the spread of influenza.
P L AY I N G O F F E N S E I S
Y O U R B E S T D E F E N S E
A G A I N S T I N F L U E N Z A
F E N D O F F F L U
Make an appointment with one
of our Kootenai Clinic physicians to get your flu vaccine.
Find one today at
kootenaiclinic.org
.
David Souvenir, M.D.
20
STAY WELL
