Bay Mills Health Center is one of many clinics dealing with the severe flu outbreak in Chippewa County this winter. Medicine is available for treating the flu, but it is crucial for those with the flu to see their doctor as early as possible.
Flu Mist
Bay Mills Health Center has ordered a limited supply of flu mist that can only be given to healthy 5- through 49-year-olds. The vaccine will be given when it arrives — please consult of one the Bay Mills medical providers. Call 248-5527 to make an appointment.
Chippewa County Health Department also has a limited supply of flu mist. Call 635-1566 for an appointment.
Flu Prevention
The single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each fall. In the absence of vaccine, however, there are other ways to protect against flu.
— Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.
— If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
— Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
— Clean your hands! Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
— Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
Treating the Flu
Bed rest at home and plenty of fluids are usually all that are needed for parents and children who get the flu. Avoid giving children decongestants without talking to a doctor first and never give aspirin containing products to children under 20 because of the risk of developing Reyes Syndrome.
Most healthy children recover from the flu without any problems but there may be complications such as ear infections, sinus problems or pneumonia. In rare cases flu can affect the nervous system and muscles, including the wall of the heart.
Be sure to call the doctor if a child has signs of complications such as those associated with dehydration like dry mouth and dark yellow urine, sore throat that keeps him from eating or drinking, seizures, earache, cough that produces discolored mucus, breathing difficulty and decreased alertness.
In some cases, the doctor may choose to use certain antiviral drugs to treat the flu. When started within the first two days of illness, they can reduce the duration of the disease but cannot cure it outright.
