WEST PALM BEACH, FL - With the cold and flu season approaching, and with the threat of the swine flu, NewsChannel 5 Health Expert Dr. David Soria answers some of the most frequently asked questions about taking care of yourself.
If I have cold symptoms, when should I seek care?
My recommendation is anyone who has cold symptoms should do the same thing you would have done a year ago before you even heard of the swine flu. If you feel sick enough where you feel you would benefit from medical care go see your doctor or go to the local hospital's emergency room.
Do I need Tamiflu, and should I ask my doctor give it to me?
If you have cold symptoms you do not need Tamiflu, and it's not recommended. Matter of fact, Tamiflu is only going to be recommended for patients that are high risk for H1N1; those are pregnant patients, caregivers to those zero to six months old and patients from 6 months old to 24 months old.
If I have cold symptoms, do I need to get a swine flu test?
The Centers for Disease Controls is currently recommending that you do not need a swine flu test if you have a cough or cold. In fact, the influenza A and B tests that we're able to obtain are actually about 30 percent incorrect so it doesn't really help us in the face of someone who presents us with those symptoms. However patients who are high risk, we're going to go ahead and treat without the swine flu test.
If I have a cough or cold, what should I do at home or at work?
If you have a cough or cold symptoms and you are not in the high risk category, my recommendation is that you stay at home until your fever is resolved for 24 hours. In the meantime, just take care of yourself. Make sure you don't do anything that will increase your chance of transmitting it to family members or co-workers, cover your mouth, wash your hands, drink plenty of fluids and get rest.
