Protect Yourself From the Flu

If you become ill and have any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

Warning signs in children

• Fast breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Irritability so bad the child does not want to be held
• Symptoms improving, then returning with fever and worse cough

Warning signs in adults

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Symptoms improving, then returning with fever and worse cough

Our MyCare Advice Line is available 24/7 at no charge to patients with a Henry Ford internal medicine, family medicine or pediatric doctor. It is staffed by Henry Ford Registered nurses who can offer you advice about the flu and other illnesses and help you decide if you can self-treat at home or need to seek medical care. Call us at (844) 262-1949.

• Non-Henry Ford patients, please call your primary care doctor for advice
• Henry Ford Jackson patients, please call your primary care doctor for advice

If you think you have the flu, you probably won’t feel like leaving home to see your doctor. But don’t worry. We now offer various virtual care options through your Henry Ford MyChart account. Through our virtual care options, you can engage in a live video visit, 24/7, with a Henry Ford doctor. Or describe your symptoms to your doctor in an e-visit message, and within one business day you will get a reply. Whatever virtual care option you choose, you can stay at home and get the care you need.

There are prescription medicines called “antiviral drugs” that can be used to treat flu illness. These medicines are prescribed by a doctor and are not sold over the counter. When used for treatment, antiviral drugs can lessen symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by one or two days. They also can prevent serious complications like pneumonia.

Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started within 2 days of getting sick. However, starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the sick person is at high risk of serious flu complications or is very sick from the flu.

Practice good health hygiene

During flu season and throughout the year, take these actions to help stop the spread of germs:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash your hands. A lot. Use soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizing gel or wipes.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
• Clean and disinfect touched surfaces at home, work or school.

• Stay home if you’re sick so you don’t spread the virus to others.
• If your symptoms get worse and you need to get care, visit one of our same-day care clinics. Click here to find the best and lowest-cost place to get care.  
• Going to an ER should be your last resort. Emergency room staff must treat the most critically sick or injured patients first. So you may end up with a long wait for care and a high copayment, compared with a doctor or urgent care visit.