Others who should receive the influenza vaccine include residents of nursing homes and those who have extensive contact with high-risk persons, including health care workers, home care volunteers and household members. The optimal time to receive a flu shot is typically in mid-October. Persons at high risk may want to consult their physician about getting an influenza shot. Influenza symptoms include fever, cough, chills, sore throat and muscle aches. The illness usually lasts from two to seven days.
People can relieve flu symptoms by resting in bed and drinking plenty of liquids.
Anyone who develops difficulty breathing, or experiences severe pain with breathing, has high fever, or whose illness lasts more than several days, should contact a physician. Physicians are encouraged to confirm the illness by culture. Health officials caution parents not to give their children aspirin or medications containing aspirin to relieve flu or other virus symptoms. Medical evidence has shown a link between the use of aspirin and Reye syndrome, a potentially fatal illness. Two antiviral drugs amantadine and rimantadine are effective in preventing and treating Influenza A infection.