Flu and Your Family: Keeping Everyone Safe This Winter

Winter brings cozy nights by the fire and holiday gatherings, but it also ushers in the peak of respiratory illness season. While the colder months are a time for connection, they require extra vigilance to ensure your household stays healthy.

We speak to Larin McMartin, D.O., a primary care doctor at INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Enid Medical Plaza, to learn more. 

“The flu is hitting hard this season, but there are practical ways you can protect yourself and your family,” McMartin says. “If you do come down with the flu, talk to your doctor about the treatment options available.”

What is the flu, and why does it matter

What to know: The flu is more than just a bad cold. It is a serious respiratory infection that can lead to complications. Understanding the nature of the virus is the first step in protecting your loved ones. The impact of influenza can extend beyond a few days of bed rest.

• Influenza affects millions of people every year.
• Complications can be severe for young children and older adults.
• Preventive measures are highly effective at reducing transmission.

How to prevent the flu this season

Key points: Prevention is the most effective strategy against influenza. Combining vaccination with good hygiene practices creates a robust defense for your household. Small daily actions add up to significant protection.

• The flu vaccine is the primary defense against infection.
• Proper hygiene habits destroy the virus on surfaces and hands.
• Social distancing limits opportunities for the virus to spread.

Annual vaccination is recommended for everyone six months of age and older, with rare exceptions. Getting the shot ensures your immune system is prepared to fight off the virus if exposed.

• Vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by between 40% and 60%.
• It prevents millions of medical visits and hospitalizations each year.
• The shot helps protect women during and after pregnancy.

Hand hygiene involves washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This simple act is one of the most powerful tools available to stop the spread of germs.

• Wash your hands before preparing food or eating.
• Always wash up after using the restroom or blowing your nose.
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are a good alternative when soap is unavailable.

Avoiding contact with sick individuals and staying home when you are feeling unwell breaks the chain of transmission. Keeping your distance ensures that germs do not travel from person to person.

• Stay home from work or school if you have a fever.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home.

Recognizing flu symptoms early

At a glance: Flu symptoms often come on suddenly and can feel much more intense than a common cold. Being able to identify these signs early allows for faster treatment and isolation. Awareness helps you make the right health care decisions.

• Symptoms usually appear one to four days after exposure.
• People are most contagious in the first three to four days.
• Recovery can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks.

Common indicators of the illness include fever or feeling feverish/chills, though not everyone with the flu will have a fever. Muscle or body aches and headaches are also frequent complaints that can be debilitating.

• Fevers may reach 100°F (37.8°C) or higher.
• Chills often precede or accompany the fever spike.
• Body aches can be severe and affect the back and legs.

Respiratory issues such as cough, sore throat and a runny or stuffy nose are hallmark signs of the virus. These symptoms can persist even after the fever has subsided.

• The cough is often dry and persistent.
• Sore throats can make swallowing and eating difficult.
• Nasal congestion may lead to sinus pressure or headaches.

Early detection is crucial because it helps prevent spreading the virus to others in your home or workplace. Identifying the illness quickly also opens the door for antiviral treatment options that work best when started early.

• Early testing confirms the diagnosis and rules out other illnesses.
• Antivirals can shorten the duration of the illness.
• Immediate isolation protects vulnerable family members.

Keeping the rest of the household safe

What to do: When one person is down with the flu, the goal shifts to protecting everyone else. Implementing strict hygiene and boundary rules can stop the domino effect of infection. Being aware of what is fact and what is myth allows the rest of the family to stay healthy.

• Physical barriers like masks add a layer of safety.
• Handwashing must be more frequent and thorough.
• Personal items should remain separate to avoid cross-contamination.

Wear masks when caring for the sick person or if the sick person must leave their room. This physical barrier captures respiratory droplets and significantly lowers the risk of inhalation.

• The caregiver should wear a mask when entering the sick room.
• The sick person should mask up if they are around others.
• Dispose of single-use masks immediately after leaving the room.

Frequent handwashing should be encouraged for everyone in the household, not just the caregiver. It removes viral particles that may have been picked up from shared surfaces.

• Wash your hands after handling laundry or trash from the sick person.
• Place hand sanitizer in common areas for easy access.
• Remind children to wash their hands often.

Sharing items like utensils, towels, bedding or electronics facilitates the rapid spread of germs. Strict boundaries regarding personal items prevent the virus from moving via indirect contact.

• Wash the sick person’s dishes in a dishwasher or with hot, soapy water.
• Do not share pillows or blankets.
• Change hand towels in the bathroom daily or use paper towels.

“Getting tested for the flu early provides opportunity for your family or household members to obtain prophylactic treatment to prevent them from also catching the virus,” McMartin adds. “Over the counter tests are equally helpful for testing early and can be useful if wanting to avoid leaving the house. I encourage home tests for the flu if affordable!” 

When to seek medical attention for the flu

Red flags: While most people recover from the flu on their own, complications can be life-threatening. Knowing the emergency warning signs ensures you get professional help exactly when it is needed. Timely medical intervention saves lives.

• High-risk groups need closer monitoring.
• Symptoms can escalate quickly.
• Trust your instincts if someone looks very ill.

High fever that does not improve after a few days or returns after breaking is a concern. This could indicate a secondary infection, such as pneumonia or a more severe viral load.

• Seek help for fevers above 104°F (40°C) in adults.
• Any fever in infants under 12 weeks requires immediate care.
• A fever accompanied by a rash needs medical evaluation.

Difficulty breathing or chest pain should never be ignored and warrants emergency care. These signs suggest that the infection is affecting oxygen levels or lung function.

• Watch for fast breathing or trouble catching breath.
• Bluish lips or face indicate a lack of oxygen.
• Severe muscle pain or weakness can be a sign of complications.

Worsening symptoms or conditions that don’t improve after a week require a doctor’s visit. If a person seems to get better but then gets sick again with a fever and a worse cough, it is a warning sign.

• Persistent vomiting prevents hydration and medication absorption.
• Signs of dehydration include no urine for eight hours or dry mouth.
• Confusion or difficulty waking up are emergency signs.

Dr. McMartin also points out that some symptoms can linger following a bout of the flu. “The post flu cough can last for as long as six to eight weeks after other symptoms resolve. I always tell my patients this so they can manage their expectations and plan for the cough to be the last symptom to resolve. Hydrate and rest is key!”

Find a doctor at INTEGRIS Health today

Next steps: If you or a family member is experiencing severe flu symptoms or needs guidance on prevention and flu treatment, find a doctor at INTEGRIS Health to ensure everyone stays safe this flu season.

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