While everyone's talking about swine flu, or H1N1, it's important to remember that there other types of flu out there. Some people also dismiss their symptoms as "just a cold." It can be tricky to tell the difference, especially in older adults.
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), one of the major differences between colds vs. flu is that generally, someone with a cold tends not to run much fever, usually not exceeding 100 degrees. With flu, people usually spike high fevers: 101 degrees, 102, even higher. However, with seniors, this isn't always the case and so diagnosing the flu can be trickier. If the person is generally in a weakened state from other disorders, they may not be able to mount a fever. That's actually a bad thing: fever is one of the body’s main defenses against infection.
Unfortunately, not enough doctors consider that in older adults. Anyone reading this who's caring for an older loved one should look for other symptoms, like body aches, and bring them to the doctor's attention. Have a runny nose? Don't take chances: call the doctor anyway. Better to be safe than sorry is not just a cliché, it's good advice.
Flu Vaccine is Critical
Unlike a cold, there is a major preventive prescriptive measure for influenza: a flu shot. Among older adults not living in chronic-care facilities (such as nursing homes) and people with ongoing medical conditions, the flu shot is up to 70% effective in preventing hospitalization for pneumonia (a lung infection) and influenza. That's according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A different flu shot is needed every year because each season’s flu virus is totally different. An adult with asthma needs to be especially careful. (And yes, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology says that despite a major misconception, an adult over age 65 is just as likely as a youngster to have asthma.) Adults with asthma are at high risk of developing complications after contracting the flu.
Unfortunately, the majority of adults with asthma do not get vaccinated, according to the CDC. The CDC also says for all adults age 65-plus, the national average for flu vaccination every year is less than 65%.
Often mentioned in health care reporting is a flu vaccine that's delivered via a nasal spray, instead of being injected. Check with a doctor, but be aware that the CDC does not recommend the spray for anyone except healthy individuals between the ages of five and 49. That means this vaccine is not for anyone over age 50. The CDC particularly warns against this drug’s use by people with diabetes, asthma (or other lung problems), and heart disease, but adds it is not to be used for people with any ongoing medical condition.
Antibiotic Warning
The AAFP always reminds people: never take leftover antibiotics once sick. They shouldn’t be in the house anyway. Every time a doctor prescribes an antibiotic, patients need to take the entire dose, not just take pills until they feel better. Yet every year physicians hear calls like this: "Doctor, I have a runny nose and I took two antibiotic pills yesterday that I had from last year. What do I do now?’”
This is one of the worst things to do. Not only won't the antibiotics fight either disease, now one's symptoms are most likely masked, making it harder for the doctor to make a proper diagnosis.
Each person should ask their doctor for advice more specific to their needs. The good news is that with quick diagnosis and sound advice, most people get well about two to three weeks after contracting the flu.
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