Flu got you down? — Here’s when to stay home and when to see a doctor

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Thirty-seven influenza related deaths were reported to the SC Department of Public Health last week alone.

With cases of the flu remaining widespread, doctors at Prisma Health want to remind you of the symptoms, and when it’s best to seek medical treatment.

The flu can bring a slew of symptoms including fever, body aches, headaches, fatigue, sore throat, and even nausea and vomiting.

Dr. Stanley Hassinger says if you think you have the flu and your symptoms are mild to moderate, stay at home, rest, and utilize over the counter medicines, which not only help you feel better, they help you have more of an appetite for food and most importantly, liquids.

“Tylenol and Motrin are mainstays. Other things to help control symptoms would be things like Sudafed, Afrin nasal sprays, antihistamines like Benadryl, and there are some cough suppressants as well for folks who are struggling with managing their cough,” he says.

But should your symptoms become severe, Dr. Hassinger says seek medical attention immediately.

“And those would be things like significant shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort, dizziness or feeling faint or passing out, confusion, if it’s difficult for someone to arouse you, if you have signs of significant dehydration and you’ve stopped making urine, if you feel excessive muscle aches or pain, things of that nature,” he says.

Pediatric Infectious Diseases Dr. Anna Kathryn Burch says older children’s symptoms will mimic adults. But for infants and toddlers she says look out for other signs.

“They might be more irritable, harder to console, they might not want to feed as much as they did in the past, so you just have to pay attention to those clues. But the majority of patients have fevers and what we’re saying now have very high fevers up into the 103s and 104s, etc.,” says Burch.

Tylenol and Motrin may be best to help with childrens’ symptoms as well.

“Those medicines don’t always break fever and that is ok, as long as it brings the fever down several degrees, that will make your child feel much better. Probably more than any of the medicines that are out there over the counter.”

And prevention tips , says Dr. John Elkes, remain consistent.

“Isolation, handwashing, covering your mouth. Preferably into your elbow there. That’s what keeps it spreading as much, if you cough directly into your hand, you’re more likely to touch doorknobs, or other things that may go onto get other people infected,” says Elkes.

They all recommend the flu vaccine for anyone six months old or older.