State Health Commissioner J.R. Nida, M.D., emphasized there is still time to receive an influenza vaccination. Dr. Nida said residents of nursing homes and those who have extensive contact with high risk persons, including health care workers, home care volunteers and household members, should also receive the vaccine. Persons wishing to be vaccinated should contact their physician, local hospital or county health department. 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. These drugs are available by prescription. 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.