The flu has hit Massachusetts hard this winter. State public health officials are already reporting 18 flu-related deaths, and the city of Boston has declared a public health emergency. The Associated Press reports that there have been 700 confirmed cases of the flu in Boston this season, a number around ten times higher than were reported in the same period last year.
Symptoms of the flu include fever, a cough or sore throat, nasal congestion, nausea, headaches, chills, and fatigue. Not sure if you have a flu or just a nasty cold? Your health care provider can issue a definitive test.
The Department of Health recommends that everyone over 6 months of age get a flu vaccination, and urges all those with the flu to stay home and follow the directions of your doctor. It also recommends rest and fluids, and warns that while over-the-counter medications can ease your symptoms, they do not make you less contagious.
For more information on how to prevent the flu, or where to obtain a vaccination, visit the sources below.
