This Year’s Flu Season is Going to Be a Bad One – Seek Treatment Early 

You may have read the above headline and wondered, “How can anyone tell what the flu season is going to be like before it even hits?” The answer is simple. In America, researchers need only to look at flu statistics from the Southern Hemisphere – namely, Australia – whose flu season is ending just as ours begins. And this year, reports from Australia have indicated that a particular flu strain known as H3N2 is packing an especially strong punch.

The biggest takeaway from this data collection is the fact that without adequate flu treatment in Houston, the H3N2 strain could prove deadly. In one area of Australia, more than 35 deaths were reported in association with 15,500 patients who reported with the seasonal condition.

Even if you’re not into numbers or statistics, what we just shared with you is an alarming precursor of what you and your family might be up against when seeking cold and flu treatment in Houston. That’s why knowing where to go for 24/7 emergency care is so vitally important.

At Ascent ER, one of our primary areas of emergency care includes emergency flu treatment in Houston by board-certified staff who have been apprised of how to best treat this year’s expected outbreak.

If you’d like to know some things that you can start doing today in preparation for what the Southern Hemisphere has already experienced, we hope the following information is beneficial for you and your family.

The Best Protection is Still a Flu Shot

Because the flu vaccine can take several weeks to build immunity, patients are encouraged to get their flu shot sooner rather than later. We know that scheduling something as quick as a flu shot can sometimes become a daunting task for busy adults, especially parents. That’s why we encourage you to visit your nearest emergency medical center in Houston to receive the vaccine without worrying about the constraints of an appointment.

In the event you are reading this after you’ve already developed symptoms that have you wondering whether or not you have the flu, please keep reading for some guidelines.

The Most Common Symptoms of Flu in Houston

One of the most frustrating things about flu season for many people is wondering whether the symptoms they’re experiencing are an indication of influenza, or merely the common cold. Medical professionals agree that one of the major differences between the two is that a cold can take hours or days to fully manifest, whereas the flu comes on quickly.

Following is a list of what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC) list as the most common flu symptoms, which you’ll notice also mimic cold symptoms. That’s why keeping an eye on the timing of the onset is important.

• Cough
• Fever or chills
• Headaches of varying varieties
• Mental and physical fatigue
• Sore throat
• Stuffy or running nose
• Vomiting and diarrhea (in all age brackets, but most common in children)

And if you’re wondering whether or not you’re at high risk of health concern from influenza, the CDC is quick to point out that “anyone can get sick with the flu – even healthy people.”

Emergency Warning Signs That It’s Time to Seek Treatment

The list of symptoms that we provided was a broad brushstroke of warning signs to look for. But what about symptoms that are more complicated in nature? The CDC urges patients to seek emergency care if they are experiencing any of the following.

CHILDREN: Fast or troubled breathing, blue tint to lips or face, chest pain, ribs pulling with each breath, muscle pain (sometimes too severe to remain mobile), not urinating, not shedding tears when crying, fever about 104 degrees (or any fever in children less than 12 weeks old), seizures, a fever or cough that improve but then decline, and worsening medical conditions of any variety.

ADULTS: Difficulty breathing, including shortness of breath and chest pain, not urinating, dizziness and confusion, severe muscle pain, a fever or cough that improves but then declines, seizures, and worsening medical conditions of any variety.

Relief Is Just Around the Corner

Instead of suffering through the distress of a cold or flu, you can get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan from Ascent Emergency Medical Center. We’re always open, and we can handle any medical emergency – including the cold and flu in Houston!