12/29/2025
🤧 FLU SEASON INFO — WHEN TO TREAT AT HOME vs WHEN TO BE SEEN
Flu is everywhere right now. Knowing when to rest, when to treat, and when to seek care helps protect you and others.
🏠 **STAY HOME & TREAT SYMPTOMS IF:**
* Fever **under 102°F** and improving with meds
* Body aches, chills, headache
* Cough, sore throat, runny nose
* Fatigue but **able to drink fluids**
* Symptoms started **< 48 hours ago** and are mild
**What helps at home:**
✔️ Rest (real rest)
✔️ Fluids (water, electrolytes, broth)
✔️ Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever/aches
✔️ Humidifier, warm showers
❌ No antibiotics — flu is viral
**Stay home until:**
* Fever-free **24 hours without fever-reducing meds**
🩺 **CALL OR BE SEEN IF:**
* Fever **≥102°F** or lasting **> 3 days**
* Shortness of breath, chest tightness
* Severe weakness or dizziness
* Vomiting or can’t keep fluids down
* Symptoms worsen after initial improvement
* You are **pregnant, immunocompromised, diabetic, have heart/lung disease**, or are **65+**
👉 Antiviral medication (like Tamiflu) works best **within 48 hours** of symptom onset.
🚨 **GO TO ER IMMEDIATELY IF:**
* Trouble breathing or blue lips
* Chest pain
* Confusion or extreme lethargy
* Signs of dehydration (no urine, dry mouth)
* Fever with stiff neck or severe headache
🛑 PLEASE DON’T COME TO THE CLINIC IF:
* You have flu symptoms but **don’t need evaluation**
* You can manage at home
This helps protect **babies, elderly patients, and those with weakened immune systems**.
📲 **WE OFFER TELEHEALTH**
If you’re unsure, message or schedule a telehealth visit—we will work to accomdate all telehealth visits and messages timely!
💙 Take care of yourself, rest when your body asks, and help stop the spread.
If you come in the clinic, feel free to mask up! For your protection and ours 😷
