Flu Season: What You Need to Know

This time of year, the air is getting colder, the days are getting shorter, and people are getting sicker! We may all wish to ignore the fact that winter is fast approaching, but if we accept that flu season is upon us, we can take actions to stay healthy this winter!

The flu is a virus that causes fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. The best way to prevent the flu is with the flu vaccine. This year’s flu vaccine protects against the viruses that research has shown will be most common this season.

While most healthy people recover from the flu in a few days, some people are at risk to have serious complications from the flu. These high risk people include young children, pregnant women, people over 65, and people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart and lung disease. Therefore, it is important that these people and anyone living with or caring for these high risk individuals receive the flu vaccine.

In order to prevent the spread of flu or other infections, it is important to wash your hand often with soap and water, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze, and make sure to clean and disinfect all contaminated surfaces.

If you do have flu like symptoms, call the office and we will see you right away. Unfortunately, antibiotics are not helpful in treating the flu. There are, however, antiviral medicines that can shorten the time you are sick if they are started soon enough. If you haven’t received your flu shot yet- it’s not too late! Call the office and book a time to come in and be vaccinated!