The influenza season of 2017-18 may be winding down, but it hit many people hard. During what has ended up as a relatively severe outbreak this winter, many patients sought advice about the difference between dealing with a bad cold versus influenza. 

Nasia Safdar, MD, PhD, associate professor, Infectious Disease, commented on a story by the Today Show about actions to avoid: do not administer aspirin, cough or cold medications to children with influenza, don't take antibiotics, don't lie flat (due to the effect of congestion and drainage causing more coughing), don't drink alcohol, don't use cold shower or baths to "break" a fever, and—importantly—don't go to work. 

She advised that people with compromised immune systems consider the antiviral medication Tamiflu. 

Dr. Safdar also commented about changes to the UW Health visitor guidelines that were imposed in January, 2018. By that time, statewide cases of influenza had risen and a total of 646 influenza-associated hospitalizations in the state of Wisconsin had occurred by January 20, 2018. In response, UW Health modified visitor guidelines for the remainder of the season to specify that anyone with influenza-like illness (fever, cough, or sore throat) must stay home and not visit patients being treated at University Hospital, American Family Children's Hospital, UW Health at the American Center, or UW Health Clinics. 

Dr. Safdar serves as vice chair for research in the Department of Medicine and UW Health medical director for infection prevention.

Resources: 

• "What NOT to do while sick with the flu — and some remedies that can help," Today Show, January 26, 2018
• "UW Health enforces visitor restrictions as flu concerns grow," WKOW-TV, February 1, 2018
• "As Flu Remains A Threat, Some Hospitals Enforce Stricter Visitation Rules," Wisconsin Public Radio, February 2, 2018
• "UW Health visitor guidelines during the influenza season," January 31, 2018