First, DO NOT PANIC. If you or anyone in your home, has fever, seek medical help. In case your doctor suspects anything, your doctor might order lab tests and there are specific labs assigned to do the tests.

In case you are diagnosed with Flu:

Follow your doctor’s advice. Usually the treatment required is medicine to control fever, plenty of liquids and rest at home. For those with severe symptoms, anti-viral medicines are available and will be started by your doctor as needed, along with hospitalization and care of pneumonia if needed.

BUT MOST important thing is to seek medical advice.

How do you prevent flu?

Simple – Get your seasonal flu vaccine shot. The cost and trouble of getting a vaccine is worth more than the trouble of getting sick, hospitalization, loss of working hours and stress. You need to remember that YOU NEED THE FLU VACCINE ANNUALLY. Flu vaccine gets effective only after two weeks of getting the vaccine. So please be pro-active, choose a convenient time and get yourself and your family vaccinated.

Wash Your Hands Thoroughly And Frequently. Use soap and water, or if they’re unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Contain Your Coughs And Sneezes. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. To avoid contaminating your hands, cough or sneeze into a tissue or the inner crook of your elbow.

Flu virus spreads via air. Practice proper hygiene and develop immunity to fight the virus.

But if you are younger than 5 or older than 65, immunocompromised or pregnant etc. stay safe by avoiding contact.

Bottom-line – Do not panic, practice hygiene, stay healthy, get your vaccine.

Mrs.Chitra Health Communicator