Post-Flu Complications and How to Treat Them

Each year, flu season arrives in our area, making thousands of people ill and sending dozens to the hospital.

Getting through the day with flu symptoms can be challenging. Unfortunately for children under 5, adults over 65, and people with compromised immune systems, post-flu complications can make that recovery process longer.

Parker Remelt, PA, is a lead physician assistant who works at our Rochester Regional Health urgent care locations and sees patients with the flu. He explains some of the more common flu complications and how to treat them.

Common post-flu complications

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs that can stem from bacteria, a virus, or other germs. In this case, influenza causes the infection.

Symptoms include:

• chest pain while breathing
• confusion
• fever
• fatigue
• shortness of breath

Most patients can treat their own symptoms with over-the-counter and home remedies like saline spray for a runny nose, ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief, drinking plenty of fluids and getting rest.

Even if the infection is caused by the influenza virus, taking antibiotics can actually help.

“We will use an antibiotic because there's a higher risk of a bacterial infection at that point,” Remelt said. “The flu suppresses the immune system and makes it more likely for that type of infection.”

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is inflammation of the airway that leads to the lungs, which can lead to wheezing and shortness of breath. Other symptoms include a constant coughing and sore throat, along with fatigue and body aches.

Over-the-counter treatments like throat lozenges, a humidifier, and drinking warm beverages (soup, tea, broth, etc.) can soothe the sore throat and lessen the cough.

Providers may prescribe antibiotics to help prevent any bacterial infection from developing, or prescribe steroids help to reduce the inflammation in the airway. Bronchitis typically takes a couple weeks to resolve.

Asthma and other breathing concerns

Breathing issues can be very scary, and life-threatening in some instances. Some patients who come into urgent care already have asthma and need additional treatments to help their breathing return to normal.

Urgent care providers are able to help patients with asthma or other breathing issues using albuterol or steroids.

“If someone is having significant shortness of breath to the point of losing consciousness, we absolutely recommend calling 911 and going straight to one of our emergency departments,” Remelt said.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome

While extremely rare, in some cases patients may develop a neurological condition called Guillain-Barre Syndrome after a flu infection. This affects just 1 in 100,000 people in the U.S.

Symptoms may include:

• tingling sensation in the legs, spreading throughout the body
• muscle weakness
• difficulty breathing.
• lack of coordination
• having a hard time chewing, swallowing, or speaking
• having a hard time with eye muscles
• atypical heart beat
• change in blood pressure

Patients with any of these conditions should visit one of our emergency departments as soon as possible.

Most people are able to recover fully, but the time it takes for a person to recover will vary.

Preventing post-flu complications

Three ways that you can reduce the likelihood of getting the flu at all are the ones that are talked about often by healthcare providers.

Get the flu vaccine: People who receive a flu shot have milder symptoms if they do get the flu, or avoid it altogether.

Wear a mask: When in public places, wear a mask during peak flu season. These reduce the likelihood of spreading or inhaling viral particles that can cause flu or other illnesses.

Wash your hands often: Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds using warm water and anti-bacterial foaming hand soap.