HEALTH CORNER
Should I Stay
or Should I Go?
Flu, cold, sniffles – when to stay home
BY LYNNE CHOATE
We bet you crossed paths with someone who
was coughing, sneezing, sniffling or doing all of
the above over the holidays. And, guess what,
we’re just getting started with flu season!
Work places, schools and public areas are
breeding grounds for viruses — colds, flu and
respiratory illnesses. We get it — no one wants
to use up a sick day. But when faced with the
dilemma of staying or going, make an educated
decision. Here’s what you need to know:
First, let’s look at the flu.
“You can start spreading the flu virus
to other people beginning one day before
symptoms develop and five to seven days after
becoming sick,” said Michele Fass, M.D., family
medicine physician with Norton Community
Medical Associates – Shepherdsville. “And
children can be considered contagious for
more than seven days after becoming sick.”
According to Dr. Fass, treating the flu is all
about timing. An antiviral medication, such as
Tamiflu, is most effective if started within 24 to
48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms. If you
have flu symptoms, see your physician or visit
a Norton Immediate Care Center as quickly as
possible.
STAY HOME OR GO OUT?
• Don’t go out until you have been
fever-free for 24 hours without using
fever-reducing medicine.
• If coughing, sneezing or runny nose
are severe enough to interfere with your
work, then you need to stay home.
• Getting plenty of rest will help you
get better faster, so help your body heal
by staying home as long as you can.
• If you’re coughing and sneezing,
you still can spread germs to others.
“Viruses travel through droplets in coughs,
sneezes, saliva and mucus, which can get on
your hands or body and be transferred on
things you touch,” Dr. Fass said.
One of the best things you can do to combat
the spread of viruses and other germs is to
wash your hands properly and frequently. And
it’s not too late to get a flu shot. The flu vaccine
can be administered any time of year.
3 Convenient Ways to Get The Care You Need
28 Norton Community Medical Associates primary care offices. Make an appointment at the location
most convenient to you.
13 Norton Immediate Care Center locations with call-ahead services. Find one near you and reserve
your spot to cut down on your wait time.
Norton eCare video visit (you don’t have to change out of your pajamas!).
For more information, call 502.629.1234.
16 EXTOL SPORTS / JANUARY 2018