Denton County Living Well Magazine Winter 2014 | Page 36

FLU PREVENTION IN SENIORS

Courtesy Rambling Oaks Courtyard Assisted Living Residence
Flu season is underway and prevention is important, especially for seniors
who are at increased risk of complications from the virus. Flu season typically runs from October through the
end of February. It is estimated that 10
to 20 percent of the U.S. population
contracts influenza each year.
Flu (Influenza) is a highly contagious
illness that is spread by tiny respiratory droplets as a result of someone
coughing or sneezing. Typically, flu
virus is spread from person to person;
however, people also become infected by touching an object that was
recently contaminated with the virus,
such as a doorknob or shopping cart,
and then touching their mouth or
nose. Flu symptoms may include one
or all or the following symptoms: fever,
chills, runny or stuffy nose, headache,
sore throat, cough, extreme fatigue,
and muscle aches. Occasionally,
symptoms such as nausea, vomiting
and diarrhea are present, but these
are not usually the primary symptoms.
According to the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC), each year more than
200,000 people will be hospitalized

because of the flu, and approximately 36,000 of them will die. A large
portion of those infected are seniors
in their seventies and eighties due to
declining immunity to illnesses as they
age.
An average healthy adult will recover from the flu in approximately 7-10
days, while senior citizens are at risk
for experiencing more serious complications. These complications include
pneumonia and other respiratory disorders. Additionally, chronic health
conditions common among seniors,
such as congestive heart failure, diabetes and renal failure could be exacerbated by the flu. Furthermore,
dehydration is a serious concern that
could lead to complications. Drinking
an adequate amount of fluid is especially important for seniors recovering
from the flu.
Getting vaccinated annually is the
single most effective way to protect
seniors from getting the flu. If someone
does become infected with the virus,
staying away from crowded places
such as work or stores while sick is vital
to prevent spreading the flu to others.

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Practicing good hand hygiene is vital to prevent the spread of flu during flu season. Frequent hand washing, especially after making contact
with objects such as door knobs and
rails in common places is a necessity.
Remember to cover your nose and
mouth while sneezing and coughing,
and thoroughly wash afterward. Lastly, try to stay away from people who
are sick or have the potential to be
sick. These common sense senior flu
prevention techniques are especially
important in long term care environments.

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