Community Health Network

Home > Flu

It's the season...for colds and the flu

With the holidays quickly approaching, it's a sure sign that the season for colds and the flu can't be far behind. With its many primary care physician offices, MedCheck urgent care centers and neighborhood flu clinics, Community Health Network can help you prevent, treat and recover from the flu. It is especially important that children, seniors and people suffering from chronic conditions such as diabetes get immediate medical care since the flu can lead to other health complications.

Flu prevention and planning

The CDC urges you to take 3 action steps to protect against the flu, including H1N1.

1. Take time to get vaccinated.
2. Take everyday preventive actions.
3. Take flu antiviral drugs if recommended.

Easy ways to get your flu vaccine shot

The most effective method of flu prevention is a vaccination. Community offers several convenient options:

1. MedCheck walk-in clinics. Call ahead to one of our six Indianapolis-area locations to get your flu shot even more quickly or schedule an appointment online with MedCheck WebAhead!
2. MedCheck Express convenience clinics located inside Wal-Mart Supercenters in Fishers, Noblesville and Indianapolis.
3. Your family doctor. Need one? Visit Find a Doctor or call 800-777-7775. We will help you locate a doctor to meet your family's needs for the seasonal flu vaccine.

H1N1 (swine flu) facts

A new type of flu (commonly called swine flu or H1N1) has been spreading across the United States over the past weeks. In order for you and your family to stay safe and healthy, please be aware of these flu signs and symptoms:

• Fever (> 100 degrees F)
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Stuffy nose
• Chills
• Headache and body ache
• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting

If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important to treat the fever and reduce it with medication such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). It is also important that you stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids. If your symptoms persist for more than one week, you need to seek medical attention.

In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid contracting any type of illness, please follow these helpful hints:

• Wash hands often with soap and water, esp. after you cough or sneeze.
• If you use tissue, use only once and throw away.
• Alcohol -based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; germs are spread that way.

Common cold or flu? Know the difference.

Even with precautions, the flu or the common cold may hit your home during the next few months. To make sure you are receiving the best treatment, it's important to know the difference between the two illnesses. To help determine if you have flu or cold symptoms, ask yourself the following questions:

Flu symptoms

If you answer "yes" to most of these questions, you likely have the flu.

• Did your symptoms come on quickly?
• Do you have a fever?
• Do your head and muscles ache?
• Do you have chills?
• Do you have a dry cough and nose?
• Has your appetite decreased?

Common cold symptoms

If you answer "yes" to most of these questions, chances are you have the common cold.

• Do you have a mild fever or no fever at all?
• Do you feel a bit "under the weather?"
• Do you have a cough and/or a runny nose?
• Is your throat sore?