Patient Discharge Instructions

Patient Discharge Instructions
Influenza (Flu)

Please contact your treating physician or your medical provider for questions or concerns. You will probably be sick for a few days with fever and respiratory symptoms. The usual symptoms of flu are a cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

• Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, without the use of fever reducing medicines.  Do not go to work or school. This will help prevent others from catching your illness.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often and after using tissues, or coughing or sneezing into hands.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Drink lots of clear fluids to keep from being dehydrated. Clear liquids include water, broth, sports drinks and infant electrolyte drinks.

Safe Use of Medications:   Ask your physician or medical provider about the medications to relieve your symptoms:

• Antiviral Drugs (Tamiflu®, Relenza®) may have been prescribed to help lessen flu symptoms. Most people recover from the flu without these medications. Persons at high risk for flu complications, or those in the hospital with flu, might benefit from antiviral medicines. If you were prescribed an antiviral medication, please start it as soon as possible. The medication is most effective if started in the first two days of the illness. Take all of the medication prescribed, even if you feel better.
• Aspirin or aspirin-containing medicines (like Pepto-Bismsol) should NEVER be taken while ill with influenza. They may cause a rare illness called Reye’s syndrome that causes liver failure. Reye’s syndrome is more common in children, but adults can also develop Reye’s syndrome. Check medication labels to see if they contain aspirin.
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol®), Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, Nuprin®), or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as Naproxen (Aleve®) can be used to ease flu symptoms. Be sure to check with your physician or medical provider before taking any NSAIDS if you have kidney disease or stomach problems.
• Over-the-Counter cold and flu medications used according to package instructions may help some symptoms. These medicines do not make a person less contagious. Children less than 4 years of age should not be given these medicines without talking with a physician or medical provider first. Check the package label to see if it contains acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Do not double dose!

Seek medical attention immediately if you have any of the following: