Find out what the flu symptoms are, what risks you should know about, and what a doctor can do for you. Read on to learn more about what a family practice doctor can do for you.
If you are coming down with flu symptoms,
you may be asking yourself if you should call a doctor. Medication can help you get better faster, so it's worth it to visit a doctor.
You should call a family practice doctor if you have a fever, headache, cough, extreme fatigue, sore throat, stuffy nose, muscle aches, nausea, or if you are vomiting. If you have trouble breathing or if your fever or sore throat lasts longer than two days, you should call a doctor immediately. If your sore throat lasts longer than 2 days, you may have strep throat. If you have strep throat, your doctor may give you a prescription for antibiotics.
A doctor will diagnose you and he may run some tests in order to make an accurate diagnosis. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral medicine for you. These medicines will shorten the duration of the flu and they are usually taken for 5 days or so. If your body temperature becomes higher than 102 F, even when you take medicine, you should also speak to a doctor.
Certain groups of people are at risk for developing complications from the flu including pregnant women, people who have diseases of the lungs, heart, kidneys, and people with diabetes.
After you visit a doctor, make sure you take good care of yourself. You should get plenty of sleep and rest and drink a lot of fluids. Gargling with salt water may help you relieve your sore throat. Over-the-counter medicines may also reduce some of your symptoms. You should avoid physical exertion, stay away from tobacco and alcohol, and eat soups. Water should not be the only liquid you consume because it doesn't contain enough electrolytes that your body needs. Gatorade and similar sports beverages are good choices.
You can treat aches and fever with over-the-counter medicines like Advil, Motrin, and Tylenol. Aspirin shouldn't be used because it's associated with Reyes syndrome. You can treat your cough with cough suppressants. For nasal congestion, you can take over-the-counter decongestants. However, anybody with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, and thyroid disease should stay away from decongestants.
If you have the flu, you should wash your hands often with water and soap, avoid touching your nose, eyes, avoid contact with people who are sick, and avoid sharing clothes with a person who has the flu. If you have a fever, you should stay home until it is resolved.The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a vaccination. A vaccination will decrease the amount of visits to a doctor, hospitalizations, and the risk of dying from the flu.
You can find a family practice doctor online and it won't cost you a penny. Search through online directories and get the contact information for several doctors in your area. Contact them to see if they accept your health insurance plan and ask questions if you need to. If you want to find out if the doctors in your area are worth paying a visit, check out the online doctor reviews and ratings. Many websites are packed with useful information and they will help you find the best family practice doctor for your needs and budget.
