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Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, your federal medical school, Bethesda, Maryland • www. usuhs.mil

FACT SHEET FOR PROVIDERS

COMMON QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTED RESPONSES

What is the flu, and how does it differ from the

common cold?

The flu is a contagious respiratory infection caused by the

influenza virus. It can cause mild to severe illness, and in

some instances result in death. The flu is different from the

common cold in that people with colds rarely get fevers,

headaches or experience extreme exhaustion, which are

symptoms of the flu.

How does the flu spread, and how long are you contagious?

The flu is spread through coughing, sneezing, even

touching. You can get the flu from the cough or sneeze of

someone who has it, or by touching a surface with viruscontaining droplets that someone with the flu has touched

(such as a door knob, stair railing or telephone) and then

putting that finger or hand in contact with your nose,

mouth or eyes.

People with the flu are contagious one day before their

symptoms start and for up to 7 days after symptoms appear.

Continued on reverse side

FLU SEASON: A TEACHABLE MOMENT

What are the symptoms of the flu?

The flu starts suddenly and may include some of the

following:

■ Fever (usually high)

■ Headache

■ Tiredness

■ Dry cough

■ Sore throat

■ Runny or stuffy nose

■ Body aches

■ Gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting,

nausea); these are more common in children than in

adults.

Symptoms last for a few days, but coughing and fatigue

can last up to two weeks. Children may also get sinus

infections and ear infections. Fevers usually begin to go

down on the 2nd or 3rd day.

How Can We Prevent the Flu?

Here are some ways for avoiding the flu, which are good

health habits to teach your children.

■ Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and don’t

expose others to you or your family if sick.

■ Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcoholbased handi wipes to protect from germs.

Important Advice to Your Office Staff

Don’t forget about your health and the health of

your staff!

■ Remind office staff to wash their hands

frequently (especially between patients);

disinfect surfaces, have tissues and handiwipes

available for themselves and in waiting areas.

■ Take care of yourself as well!

We hope this fact sheet and the attached

fact sheet for patients will enhance your

communication with service members and

their families during the flu season.

This year’s flu season is a time of

heightened anxiety. The flu vaccine has been

in limited supply. Military families, especially

those with young children, are experiencing

stress due to lengthened deployments and

escalation in fighting. Many young

caretakers—mothers and fathers whose

spouses are deployed—may be facing family

health experiences for the first time and need reassurance.

Addressing your patient’s concerns about

the flu provides a ‘teachable moment’ for

educating patients, especially parents, about

important health habits that can last a

lifetime.

Please share this fact sheet with your office

staff, as they will surely encounter many

questions addressed below. You can download

the patient fact sheets as office takeaways, put

them on your website, or email to providers

in your network. Thank you for caring for our

military and improving the health of our

Department of Defense community.
■ Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs often

spread when you touch something with germs and then

touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

What Should We Do If We Get Sick?

■ Get plenty of rest, drink lots of liquids, and adults

should avoid using alcohol and tobacco.

■ Practice the Golden Rule: Do unto others, as you would

have others do unto you, which means:

● Stay home from work when you are sick as it puts

others at risk, as well as yourself and slows your

recovery.

● Keep children with the flu at home with childcare. Be

familiar with your school district’s rules on returning

a child to school after the flu.

● Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your

sleeve when coughing or sneezing. This will help

keep others from being exposed to germs and getting

sick. Be sure to throw away the tissues immediately

after use.

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Bethesda, MD 20841-4799 • www.usuhs.mil

FLU DIAGNOSIS AND MEDICATIONS: Q & A

Q: Is there a test to confirm the diagnosis of the flu?

A: Yes. There are tests that can determine if you have the flu

as long as you are tested within the first 2 or 3 days of

illness.

Q: Are there medications to take if I get the flu?

A: Yes, there are four antiviral drugs (amantadine,

rimantadine, zanamavir, and oseltamivir) approved for

treatment of the flu. These require a doctor’s prescription.

Antiviral treatment lasts for 5 days and must be started

within 2 days of illness so if you get flu-like symptoms,

contact the office immediately.

Remind patients when taking medications to “Take only

as directed.” Some patients might think “if a little is good,

more is better.”

Important Advice to Adult Patients

Emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

■ Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

■ Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

■ Sudden dizziness

■ Confusion

■ Severe or persistent vomiting

There are antiviral medications approved for treatment of the flu that

require a prescription. Consult with a doctor first.

Do not give aspirin to children and adolescents who have the flu as some

are at risk for Reye’s syndrome, a serious disorder that affects the nerves.

COURAGE TO CARE is a new health promotion campaign of Uniformed Services

University. Its purpose is two-fold: to provide quality health information reflecting

our University’s excellence in military medicine and to present it in a friendly, appealing

format for immediate distribution for the health promotion needs in your community.