Flu on the Move

In light of recent widespread flu activity, health officials at Beverly Hospital and public health officials are urging flu awareness and prevention.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning that this could be a particularly bad flu season. So far, 43 states have reported either high or widespread flu activity with elevated reports of flu illness, hospitalizations and deaths. Massachusetts is reporting increases in rates of flu-like illness over the past few weeks.

Flu is a disease of the body’s breathing system, including the nose, throat and lungs. The most common symptoms are fever, cough, and sore throat. Symptoms last from a few days to a week or more.

Everyone 6 months of age and older should be vaccinated for flu, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.The only exceptions are people with a severe allergy to eggs or to a vaccine component.

What Steps Can I Take to Protect Myself and My Family During The Flu Season?

• Eat right and get enough rest.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way. Avoid any person who is coughing, sneezing or has respiratory illness.
• Know the symptoms of influenza: sudden fever, aches and pains, headache, chills, sore throat, possibly sudden dizziness, cough, head and lung congestion, fatigue and possibly diarrhea/nausea. Timely treatment with antiviral medicines, like Tamiflu is especially important this year.
• Do not go to work with flu symptoms. Children should not go to school with symptoms. The CDC recommends staying home and limiting contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Wash hands with soap and water for 15 to 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer or wipes, especially when in public.
• Refrain from visiting friends or family members in the hospital if experiencing flu symptoms, unless it is necessary to do so.

Tips provided by Beverly Hospital.