Fall and winter mark the beginning of the flu season which is a concern for GIST patients.
Though the weather is extraordinarily warm in this early winter, it does not mean the temperatures will not drop and bring about the snowy weather, and the dreaded flu virus.
Below we have a top ten list of tips to help you combat the flu, and what you should do if the unfortunate happens and you become infected.
If you have the following flu symptoms, please notify your doctor:
- An earache or drainage from your ear
- Pain in your face or forehead along with thick yellow or green mucus for more than a week
- Any temperature 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in an infant less than 3 months of age
- Temperature higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit in older children or adults
- Hoarseness, sore throat, or a cough that will not go away
- Wheezing
- Vomiting
- Persistent or worsening symptoms
Remember to go to the doctor immediately:
- If you have trouble breathing
- Chest pain
- Confusion
- Seizure
- Fainting
- Difficulty staying awake
For more information on receiving a flu shot, contact your doctor or head to the American Cancer Society’s site.
Many patients have been diagnosed with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor or GIST. The Life Raft Group has been helping to meet the challenges faced by GIST patients, caregivers, and the research community.
For more information or FAQs about GIST, events, research or our organization, please contact us today!
