How to Fend Off the Flu

Flu season is upon us! This illness that comes with fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, congestion, runny nose, headaches and fatigue can be especially brutal, especially for those who are very young, and those who are of advanced age. Here are three easy things you can do to help avoid contracting the flu, or other illness, this winter.

1. Get the flu shot. While a flu shot does not protect against all strains, it significantly reduces your risk of getting sick. Flu shots are safe and recommended for anyone six months of age or older unless advised against by your physician. Flu shots are especially important for pregnant women, as they protect both mother and baby. While there are many different flu viruses, the CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and more important step in protecting against flu viruses, and the vaccine protects against the viruses that research suggests will be most common.
2. Washing your hands is also one of the most important ways to stay healthy, not just during flu season, but throughout the year. Your hands are covered in millions of bacteria and germs, some of which can be harmful. To properly eliminate them, it is vital to use soap when washing your hands. This simple step can help keep you healthy.
3. Lastly make sure that if you fall ill, you protect those around you from contracting the same illness. This is very important when coming in contact with the very young, elderly or otherwise infirmed. The transmission of an illness can happen very fast and have some very dangerous effects. A couple of easy ways to help protect others is to cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated and stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.

If you do get sick, it’s important to know when to seek medical treatment for your illness. If you experience any of the following symptoms, go to your local Emergency Department as soon as possible:

1. Severe vomiting or diarrhea with fluid loss,
2. High fever over 101 that is not improving with Tylenol or Motrin/Advil, or
3. Chest pain or shortness of breath at any time.

Hopefully you will get through the flu season unaffected, but if it hits you, remember you can always turn to medical professionals for help.

Stephanie Reynolds, D.O., is the Chair and Medical Director of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Riverview Medical Center.