8 Doctor-Recommended Tips to Survive Flu Season

The U.S. experienced one of the worst flu seasons in more than a decade last year, with as many as 82 million illnesses and as many as 130,000 flu deaths, preliminary estimates show. And already, we’re gearing up for another.

For many people, a case of the flu is mostly mild, with symptoms such as fever, cough and fatigue. That is not true, however, as you age.

“Even though people over 60 are less than 20 percent of the population, they account for over 80 percent of the serious complications of influenza,” says Dr. William Schaffner, professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

No matter your age, getting a flu shot can help keep you healthy. But a flu shot isn’t foolproof. “So what you do when you get the flu turns out to be very important for this [over 60] age group,” Schaffner says.

Emergency warning signs of flu complications:

If you experience any of the following, seek medical attention right away:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Persistent dizziness, confusion, inability to arouse
Seizures
Not urinating
Severe muscle pain
Severe weakness or unsteadiness
Fever or cough that improves but then returns or worsens
Worsening chronic medical conditions

Source: CDC 

Here are eight ways to speed up your recovery from the flu, along with the warning signs of a severe infection you should be aware of.