It’s flu season, which means it’s that time of the year to bust out your Kleenex and soap.
The flu appears in a number of different symptoms, many that are similar to a cold, and can last for days.
Some symptoms may include:
- stuffy nose
- fever
- aches and pains
- sore throat
- chills and fatigue
If your symptoms worsen and cause chest pain, difficulty breathing, or the symptoms reappear days after they go away, please seek medical attention immediately.
After the H1N1 epidemic, it’s important that people be prepared this year, and take the necessary precautions to prevent contracting the flu.
Some steps we’re taking at Rose are installing “sneeze stations” around different parts of the hospital. At these stations, there will be anti-bacterial gel and Kleenex so that all employees and visitors can be constantly fighting infection and keeping our patients and ourselves as healthy as possible. All Rose employees are required to get the flu shot, or wear a mask at work for the duration of flu season.
The vaccination can be very useful in protecting you and your family from several forms of the flu virus.
“The foundation of our mission at Rose, high‐quality medical care, is based on the science of medicine,” says Dr. Don Lefkowits, medical director for the Rose Emergency Department. “Few, if any, elements of the science of medicine are more clearly defined as the science of vaccination. Influenza vaccination has been used for years to prevent and/or minimize the potentially deadly effects of the influenza virus.”
This 2010‐2011 flu vaccine will protect against three different flu vaccines: H1N1, H3N2, and an influenza B, which were the most common viruses during the last flu season. The vaccine is given with just one shot.
The Center for Disease Control recommends that everyone over the age of six months get the flu shot.
Adults 65 and older, children 5 and under and pregnant women are all at a higher risk for getting the flu
Getting the flu shot isn’t the only method to stay healthy this winter. Here are some other useful hints for staying cold (and flu) free.
- Keep washing your hands, and carry around anti-bacterial gel. The flu is transmitted most easily through contact and the more you wash your hands, the better chance you have of not catching it.
- Make sure your house stays clean. This is especially important if another member of your family is sick, and you want everyone else to stay health. Use antibacterial cleaners, and pay close attention to community areas that get a lot of traffic from your family.
- Wear a surgical mask. If you are especially concerned about getting sick, wearing a surgical mask will help protect you from some airborne germs.
- Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing and throw away dirty tissues immediately. Ask that the people who are consistently in close contact with you do the same.
influenza virus
If you do come down with the flu, the best thing to do is get lots of rest, and drink plenty of fluids. If you’re feeling achy, consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever like Tylenol or Advil to help combat the achiness.
Flu season normally peaks in January or February, but it is important to stand guard and practice prevention methods through the whole season.
For more information on the flu, including the closest locations to get the flu shot, visit http://www.flu.gov.
