The flu, unlike a cold usually starts suddenly and hits hard.

"If you have the flu, you will experience symptoms of a high fever, feeling weak and tired, a dry cough, a runny nose, chills, muscle aches, severe headache and a sore throat," says Dr. Bill Martin, Miramichi family doctor and president of the Miramichi Regional Health Authority’s medical staff.

He says there is no cure for the flu but there are several new prescription medications that can lessen its severity.

To feel better you can treat your symptoms while your body fights off the virus.

"I recommend patients stay at home, rest in bed, and drink plenty of fluids like water and fruit juices."

He says you can speak to your doctor or pharmacist regarding medications that will help with the symptoms.

"Antibiotics will not work against viruses so they will not cure the flu however, they can be helpful if you get an infection from bacteria, such as a sinus infection, an ear infection or pneumonia (an infection in the lungs)."

He says it is important to seek medical attention if you have significant chest or facial pain or shortness of breath or if you are not improving after three to four days.

Health Canada states that by far, the most effective way to protect yourself from the flu is to be vaccinated each year in the fall since the vaccination antibodies only work for about four to six months. These antibodies will prevent the infection or reduce the severity of the flu.

Dr. Martin says it is very important that individuals who have specific underlying medical conditions receive the flu vaccination.

"These individuals are more at risk of developing complications from the flu such as pneumonia, or could spread the flu to people who could have serious problems from it."

Those who should get vaccinated include:

• Adults and children with chronic heart or lung disease
• Adults and children with diabetes, kidney disease, anaemia or immune system problems including AIDS
• Children on long-term aspirin therapy
• People over the age of 65
• Health care workers or family members who take care of people who could have problems if they got the flu.

He says that immunization side effects are minor.

"The flu vaccine does not contain a live virus so it will not cause the flu."

He says the most common side effect is soreness at the injection site for a day or two.

"Some people also report a slight fever and muscle aches for one or two days afterwards."

Dr. Martin cautions that despite its many benefits, the vaccine is not recommended for a small percentage of people who have a serious allergy to eggs, have had a previous allergic reaction to the flu vaccine, and anyone suffering or has suffered from the Guillain-Barré syndrome.

He recommends pregnant women consult their doctor about receiving the vaccine and suggests that anyone who is very sick, particularly those with a fever, wait until the symptoms pass before being vaccinated.

This year, the Province of New Brunswick has extended its publicly funded flu vaccine program to include all individuals over the age of 65. It is also available to individuals at high risk of developing complications from the flu.

Dr. Martin says that in addition, all adults over the age of 65 and those with major health problems should consider getting a one-time pneumonia vaccine, which is available, free through their family doctor and can be given at the same time as their flu vaccine.

If you are in the identified category to receive a publicly funded vaccine, call Public Health for more information or your family doctor to make an appointment.

If you do not have a family doctor, call the Miramichi Medical Day Clinic at 627-7511.

Individuals who are not eligible for the publicly funded vaccine can speak with their, doctor, pharmacist or the VON.

Another effective way to prevent the spread of flu and other infections is to wash your hands.

"The virus that causes the flu is spread through hand-to-hand contact and through the air in droplets released in sneezes and coughs," says Merita MacMillan, infection control coordinator at the Miramichi Regional Hospital.

She says good hand washing technique is easy to learn and can significantly reduce the spread of infectious diseases among both children and adults.

She recommends the following four simple steps in effectively washing your hands:

1. Wash your hands with warm running water.
2. Add soap, and then rub your hands together, making a soapy lather. Do this away from the running water for at least 10 seconds, being careful not to wash the lather away. Wash the front and back of your hands, as well as between your fingers and under your nails.
3. Rinse your hands well under warm running water. Let the water run back into the sink, not down to your elbows. Turn off the water with a paper towel and dispose in a proper receptacle.
4. Dry hands thoroughly with a clean towel.

For more information about the flu vaccine contact:

• Your family doctor
• Public Health, 778-6102