Have you had your shot yet?

As we enter the fall, remember that flu season is officially here and will continue until next spring. While it can peak at any time, the worst months can be January through March. Each year, approximately 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized because of influenza. So take the time now to find out how to protect yourself and your family.

This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising everyone age six months and older to get a flu shot. You can get one from your primary doctor, or you can visit many drugstores and supermarkets throughout St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay area.

Precautions

Though it may be difficult to prevent the flu for everyone, there are some precautions you can take.

• Get an annual flu shot. The vaccine changes each year so it can tackle the particular strain that is expected.
• Wash your hands. Be sure to wash your hands frequently throughout the day. This helps control the spread of germs.
• Use a tissue. When you sneeze or cough, use a tissue and then throw it away. If you cover your nose and mouth with your hand, you just carry the germs with you.
• Get rest. Keep your body strong by getting a good night’s sleep. If you’re already tired or weak, you’re more apt to get sick.
• Stay home. If you do get the flu, stay home from work or school. Otherwise, you can spread the illness to others.

Symptoms

Very often the symptoms of flu can come on quickly. Here are some typical ones:

• Fever (sometimes quite high)
• Headache and muscle aches
• Extreme tiredness
• Chills
• Dry cough
• Runny nose (usually more common with children than adults)
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

If you think you have the flu, your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs. These medications attack the flu virus and stop it from spreading throughout your body. Antibiotics, however, do not help treat the flu. Other options are over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines, analgesics, decongestants, and cough suppressants. These will help ease your symptoms.

To learn more about flu and its prevention, contact Edward White Hospital. Visit us online or call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-888-243-3627. We want to help keep you well.

Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Florida Department of Health
Edward White Hospital

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Top Tips to Stay Healthy This Flu Season

Influenza viruses, commonly referred to as the flu, cause highly contagious respiratory illnesses with symptoms that range from mild discomfort to severe illness. Young children, the elderly, and those with health complications are especially at risk when it comes to complications related to the flu. This season, keep yourself and your family healthy by lowering the risk of coming down with the flu.

Consider the Flu Vaccine

The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months receives a flu vaccine.  High-risk individuals, such as teachers and health care workers, are especially advised to get vaccinated. The vaccine comes in the form of a quick injection or a nasal spray and is widely available during the flu season. Ask your health provider which vaccine is right for you and your family, and what the possible side effects may be.

Be Smart About Germs

You can lower your flu risk simply by preventing the spread of germs. While it’s more difficult to enforce preventative measures with young children, begin teaching good hand washing techniques as early as you can. Cough and sneeze into your elbow or into a tissue, throw tissues away when they’re used, and wash hands frequently. Keep travel bottles of hand sanitizer around for times when you can’t wash with soap and water.

Stay At Home If You’re Sick

Don’t be a hero. Familiarize yourself with flu symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, headache, fatigue and body aches. If you’ve got flu symptoms, stay at home. The CDC recommends staying home for at least 24 hours after a fever. This goes for your school-aged kids as well. Leave the house if you need to get medical attention, but otherwise, be good to yourself and get plenty of sleep and fluids.

Practice Healthy Habits

Adopt a healthy lifestyle and good habits as part of your daily routine. This means regular exercise, eating well, and getting enough sleep at night. Stay on top of stress and other factors that can influence your immune system and increase your likelihood of getting sick. Schedule routine checkups with your health care provider and ask for personalized advice on staying healthy year-round.

If you have further questions, you can learn more about flu prevention at Edward White Hospital. Need a physician referral? Just call our Consult-A-Nurse service at 1-888-243-3627.