Patient education: Flu in adults – ED discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — 

Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").

What should I know? — 

You came to ED for the flu, also called "influenza." This is an infection caused by a virus. It is easy to spread from person to person.

Most people get over the flu without any long-term problems. However, some people are more likely to get very sick from the flu.

You might need antiviral medicine to treat the flu. If so, it is important to finish the medicine, even if you start to feel better. Antibiotics do not work on the flu.

How do I care for myself at home? — 

Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.

●Take all your medicines as instructed, even if you are feeling better.

●Get lots of rest. Sleep when you feel tired. Avoid doing tiring activities.

●Take warm, steamy showers to help soothe your cough.

●Suck on hard candies, ice chips, ice pops, or cough drops to soothe sore throat and cough.

●Wash your hands often. This helps prevent spreading the infections to others.

●Try to thin mucus:

•Drink lots of liquids. This can also help replace fluids lost through a fever.

•Use a cool mist humidifier to avoid dry air.

•Use saline nose drops to relieve stuffiness.

●Take a medicine like acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) to help bring down your fever.

When should I get emergency help?

●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you:

•Are having so much trouble breathing you can only say 1 or 2 words at a time

•Need to sit upright to be able to breathe, or cannot lie down

•Are very tired from working to catch your breath, or are sweating from trying to breathe

●Return to the ED if you:

•Have trouble breathing when talking or sitting still

•Have severe chest discomfort

•Feel confused or disoriented

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call for advice if you:

●Are vomiting and cannot keep liquids down

●Develop early signs of fluid loss, such as:

•Dark urine

•Dry mouth

•Muscle cramps

•Lack of energy

•Feeling lightheaded when you get up

●Have new or worsening symptoms

More on this topic

Patient education: Flu (The Basics)
Patient education: Flu vaccine (The Basics)

Patient education: Influenza symptoms and treatment (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Influenza prevention (Beyond the Basics)