Infants, children and teenagers are most likely to become sick, as they have had less time to develop the natural immunity inherent in older persons.

Symptoms are similar to cold and flu, such as coughing, body and muscle aches, fever and sometimes, a skin rash.

Enterovirus is spread through contact with body fluids – i.e. droplets from coughs or sneezes, bodily secretions, or through contact with surfaces infected with the virus from such fluids.

There is no vaccination or specific treatment for enterovirus. Many infections require treatment of only the symptoms.

If your child has conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis or other potentially immune – or respiratory – compromising conditions and develops symptoms, contact your pediatrician, physician, care center or hospital.

To help prevent transmission:

• Wash hands often using soap and water.
• Avoid contact with individuals displaying cold symptoms.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as toys, doorknobs, countertops, etc., especially where someone is ill.
• Contact your medical professional with concerns.

What are the emergency warning signs of flu sickness?

In children

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

In addition to the signs above, get medical help right away for any infant who has any of these signs:

• Being unable to eat
• Has trouble breathing
• Has no tears when crying
• Significantly fewer wet diapers than normal

In adults

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Are there medicines to treat the flu?

Yes. There are drugs your doctor may prescribe for treating the flu called “antivirals.” These drugs can make you better faster and may also prevent serious complications. See Treatment – Antiviral Drugs for more information.

How long should I stay home if I’m sick?

CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or other necessities. Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol®. You should stay home from work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.

What should I do while I’m sick?

Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. If you must leave home, for example to get medical care, wear a facemask if you have one, or cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Wash your hands often to keep from spreading flu to others. Visit the Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home guide for more information.

What is Seasonal Influenza?

Seasonal influenza, also known as the flu, is an illness that causes fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches. It is usually spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing. Flu season in Ohio can begin as early as October and run as late as March. However, it is not uncommon for sporadic cases to appear all year long.

Most people who get the flu usually recover in one to two weeks, but the flu can be deadly. An estimated 200,000 people are hospitalized with the flu each year in the U.S. On average, it is estimated that there are more than 20,000 flu related deaths.  Not all of these deaths are directly related to the flu but many are – and possibly could be prevented with a flu vaccine.

Flu vaccines are designed to protect against the influenza viruses that experts predict will be the most common during the upcoming season. Three kinds of influenza viruses commonly circulate among people today: Influenza A (H1N1) viruses, influenza A (H3N2) viruses, and influenza B viruses. Each year, these viruses are used to produce seasonal influenza vaccine.

Recycle your Christmas tree and holiday greenery at the Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste District’s free program. Yard trimmings drop-off sites will be open on Saturday, January 3 and Saturday, January 10, 2015 from noon to 3 p.m. Christmas trees and other yard trimmings will be turned into compost. Residents must remove all decorations, tinsel, ornaments and tree bags from holiday greenery.