healthspin
Take Aim Against the Flu
A few years ago, a nasty bout of the flu
almost prevented PGA champion Zach
Johnson from making the Presidents Cup
team.
He’s proof that even the best and
strongest athletes can be taken out of the
game by the nasty respiratory infection.
So, if you want to stay healthy, you might
consider getting a flu vaccination.
The flu vaccine can reduce illness,
doctors’ visits and missed work or school, as
well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.
The more people who get vaccinated, the
more people will be protected from the flu.
Farhan Siddiqui, MD
Getting an annual flu vaccine is the
North Oaks Primary Care -- first and best way to protect yourself
Hammond
and your family from the flu, according
to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC).
This is especially important for older
people, very young children, pregnant
women and people with certain health
conditions who are more vulnerable
to serious flu complications. While the
numbers vary, in the United States,
millions of people are sickened, hundreds
of thousands are hospitalized and tens of
thousands die from flu every year.
Typically, the peak of flu season is
November through March. Some years
are worse than others, and this year
vaccines have been updated to better
match circulating viruses, according to the
CDC.
It takes about two weeks after
vaccination for the body’s immune system
to fully respond and for you to be protected.
The CDC recommends that people get
a flu vaccine by the end of October, if
possible. However, getting vaccinated later
– even into January or later -- can still be
beneficial.
The CDC recommends everyone six
months of age and older get the flu shot.
In addition to the vaccine, you can take
22
everyday preventive actions like staying
away from sick people and washing your
hands to reduce the spread of germs. If
you are sick with flu, stay home from work
or school to prevent spreading the virus to
others.
The following good health habits can
also prevent the spread of the flu and
other respiratory illnesses:
Cover your nose and mouth with a
tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw
the tissue in the trash after use.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and
mouth. Germs spread that way.
Wash your hands often with soap
and water, especially after you cough or
sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also
are effective.
Follow your health care provider’s
instructions for staying home from work
or school when you are sick, and limit your
contact with others to keep from infecting
them. In general, it is recommended that
you stay home until your symptoms are no
longer being controlled by fever-reducing
medications for at least 24 hours.
For more information on flu shot
availability, please call North Oaks at (985)
230-6647.
Sources: www.flu.gov