The Colorado Department of Health and Environment has extended flu surveillance through May 26, and may extend the duration of flu season beyond March 31
ColoradoBiz Staff //March 8, 2018//
The Colorado Department of Health and Environment has extended flu surveillance through May 26, and may extend the duration of flu season beyond March 31
ColoradoBiz Staff //March 8, 2018//
With more than 3,300 influenza-related hospitalizations since October in Colorado alone, this year's flu season has significantly impacted numerous families and communities across the United States.
Even though flu season may have already reached its peak, teams should continue to maintain healthy work environments. Because of the intensity and unpredictability of this year's flu season, the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) has made the decision to extend flu surveillance through May 26, and may extend the duration of flu season beyond March 31.
Dr. Pamela Vallejo-Craig, an internal medicine doctor who practices at St. Anthony North Health Campus in Westminster shared some tips on how to avoid contracting the flu, particularly at work:
The signs and symptoms of influenza can vary by age, immune status and underlying medical conditions. Uncomplicated influenza can include any of the following: fever, muscle aches, headache, lack of energy, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and possibly a runny nose. Not all flu patients contract a fever, especially in seniors. However, fever and body aches can last three to five days, and cough and lack of energy may last for two or more weeks.
If you get sick with flu symptoms, Vallejo-Craig advises you stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care. Most people with the flu have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs.
You might need antiviral medication to treat flu if you have certain medical conditions (asthma, neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, chronic lung disease, heart disease, blood disorders, diabetes, kidney/liver disorders, metabolic disorders, weakened immune system)
“It’s very important that antiviral drugs be used early to treat people who are sick with the flu in these high risk groups,” said Dr. Vallejo-Craig. “Most otherwise-healthy people do not need to be treated with antiviral drugs. Studies show that antiviral drugs work best for treatments when they are started within 2 days of getting sick.”
If you are sick with the flu-like illness, CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommends you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.