Stay Healthy This Season

By Randy Bergen, pediatrician for Kaiser Permanente Walnut Creek, a pediatric infectious-disease specialist, and the clinical lead for Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s flu vaccination program

As the days begin to get shorter and we head into the last part of the year, now is the time to think about flu prevention and ways you can stay healthy.

Colds and influenza, or “the flu”—which has similar symptoms to a cold but is more severe—may be unavoidable, but you can still minimize the seriousness of an illness or how often you catch a bug with a few simple germ-fighting strategies.

Wash Your Hands. Washing your hands is my No. 1 recommendation for staying healthy. Whether using a sanitizing gel or water and soap, make sure to clean your hands frequently. Viruses live on phones, door knobs, money—basically, everywhere—so when we touch surfaces and then rub our eyes or nose, we are exposing ourselves. If you sneeze and cough into your hands, wash them immediately so you don’t spread germs.

Get an Influenza Vaccine. Influenza is the most serious viral illness every winter, and it affects millions of people. The flu vaccine is the safest, most effective defense against it. The biggest misconception about the shot is the belief that it can give you a full-fledged case of the flu. It is simply not possible to get seriously sick from the flu shot because it contains just a piece of the germ. It may cause your arm to be sore, and that can lead to general achiness, but that’s it.

It’s possible to catch a cold at the same time that you get the flu shot, but that’s just a coincidence. The flu vaccine only wards off influenza, not other winter viruses, and it takes two weeks to build up protection. So, plan ahead and get your vaccination.

Limit Exposure. One way to avoid sickness is to avoid sick people because illness-causing germs are spread through touching contaminated surfaces or through the air. If you have a fever, wait at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine before returning to work, church, or other places where people gather.

Healthy Living. A healthy lifestyle of eating fruits and vegetables daily, exercising several times a week and regularly getting a good night’s sleep will keep your immune system strong and better your chances of keeping winter illnesses at bay. Many fruits and vegetables are rich in immune-boosting beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E.

If you do get sick, the best thing you can do is drink plenty of liquids and rest. That’s what this doctor orders.

Flu vaccination locations

A “Super Saturday” flu vaccination event will also take place on September 24th from 9am-1pm at the Walnut Creek Medical Center, Martinez Medical Offices, Pleasanton Medical Offices and Antioch Medical Center.

Flu shot dates and locations are subject to change. Kaiser Permanente members should call

1-800-KP FLU 11 (1-800-573-5811) for the most up-to-date information.