Peak Flu Season

Flu season, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), usually peaks in January or February.  If you've ever had the flu you know the symptoms: fever, chills, body aches and a painful cough.  For most people, flu lasts between a few days to a few weeks, however, flu can lead to other complications, such as pneumonia, which can be life-threatening to some people. During a regular flu season, about 90 percent of flu-related deaths occur in people 65-years-old and older. If you feel you may have the flu it's important to get to a doctor as soon as possible.  Prescription antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza can decrease the severity and duration of the flu but they work best when taken within 48 hours of getting sick.  If you've been exposed to someone who has the flu your doctor may also prescribe Tamiflu or Relenza as a preventive measure.There are several sites that track the level of flu in any given area.  Fortunately, most report that flu occurrences are currently low in the Washington, DC metro area.  Let's keep our fingers crossed that levels remain low for the remainder of the "flu season."