Avoiding the Flu

Tina Kroeger, Director of Nursing writes…

Flu season is quickly approaching. Here are some things you need to know about seasonal flue. Symptoms of the flue start suddenly and may include the following: fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting. Seasonal flue is a respiratory illness that is spread from person to person in respiratory droplets when the infected persons sneezes, coughs, or when touching something the flue virus is on and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Seasonal flue is very contagious and adults can infect others one day before getting symptoms and five days after getting sick. Therefore you can give someone the flue before you even know that you are sick. The flue virus can cause serious complications in our elderly population, such as bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, or worsening of chronic medial conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma, and diabetes.

The single best way to protect yourself and others against the flu virus is to get your flue shot each year between September and December. Remember to always cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the bend of your arm and to wash your hands often to keep from spreading the flue to others.

FIVE TIPS TO TAKE IF YOU GET THE FLU

1. Stay at home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone
2. Avoid close contact with well people
3. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
4. Treat fever and cough with over the counter medications
5. If you are very sick or you have risk factors that put you at a higher risk, such as elderly, pregnant, or have chronic health problems, contact your doctor

Information obtained from CDC website