Discharge Instructions - Influenza

As discussed in the Emergency Department prior to discharge, you have been diagnosed with influenza or the flu.  The flu is an infection that can cause fever, cough, body aches, and other symptoms.  The most common type of flu is the "seasonal" flu, of which there are different forms of seasonal flu, for example, "type A" and "type B."  Besides seasonal flu, there is also the "swine" flu, which caused a worldwide outbreak ("pandemic") in 2009 and 2010, and the bird flu.  Bird flu (also known as "avian flu") is a severe form of the flu that is caused by a type of flu virus that first infected birds.

All forms of the flu can cause fever (temperature higher than 100ºF or 37.8ºC), extreme tiredness or fatigue, headache or body aches, cough, sore throat, and runny nose.  Flu symptoms can come on very suddenly.

All forms of the flu are caused by viruses.  Antibiotics provide no benefit in the treatment of viral infections.  Most patients get better within a week or two without complications.  An antiviral medication called Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) may have been prescribed to you based on how long you have had symptoms and your risk factors.  This medication is usually reserved for patients who are at a higher risk from influenza such as people 65 or older, very young children, pregnant women, and people with certain other medical problems.

It is important that you stay home, rest, and drink plenty of fluids.  You can take over-the-counter medications for pain such as Ibuprofen (also known as Advil or Motrin) or Naproxen (also known as Aleve).  You can also take Acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol) to relieve fever and body aches.

Return to the Emergency Department if you have trouble breathing or are short of breath, feel pain or pressure in your chest or belly, get suddenly dizzy, feel confused, have severe vomiting, or any new or concerning symptoms.