Don't Take Influenza Lightly

 Most seniors I know take keeping healthy a top priority.  Most of us are up to date on our shots:  pneumonia, shingles, Covid, RSV, flu.  You can do all that and still run into trouble. 

My mom and I recently took a 12 cruise from Costa Rica to Los Angeles.  It was a small ship, with lots of space between people, but still I got sick and then my mom.  My illness was simply a heavy cough, with no other symptoms.  My mom's was far worse.  It started as a slight cold, low fever, slight cough and congestion.  But oh, my, things can change quickly.

We went to the ship doctor, who immediately started Dorothy on Tamiflu.  That is supposed to reduce the length of the illness.  Dorothy was so lethargic and lacking in energy.  All she wanted to do was sleep.  She was disoriented, didn't know if it was day or night.  She had an incident at dinner that I would call a TIA, although the doctor never gave it a name.  It's been several weeks since all this happened, and she is still somewhat confused, tired, just not herself.

The reason flu is so deadly in seniors is due to a weakened immune system.   Possible chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease, higher risk of pneumonia, bronchitis, heart failure, confusion and weakness, can all happen due to flu.

Don't take influenza lightly.  If you feel like you may have the flu, get tested as soon as possible and start taking Tamiflu right away.  It takes several weeks to get over, so be patient.  Lots of naps, water and a good diet.  If confusion has occurred, be patient with that too.  Doctor says that should return to normal too.