Like clockwork, the flu virus shows up each October, making millions of people miserable until it loses steam sometime in May. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also may have vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms of the flu can be serious. Each year influenza-related complications send some 200,000 people to the hospital and lead to death for thousands. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
While current U.S. flu activity is low overall, in the past 2 weeks CDC has received reports of a small number of localized influenza outbreaks. This is not unusual for September. however, It is not possible to make any predictions about the timing or severity of the upcoming influenza season based on these outbreaks. CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. You should get your flu vaccine anytime between now and the end of October, if possible. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses and prevent flu-related hospitalizations.
So what can we do to beat the flu? According to the CDC……
1. Get the Flu Shot.
Get a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. While there are many different flu viruses, a flu vaccine protects against the viruses that research suggests will be most common. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. Vaccination of high risk persons is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness. People at high risk include young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older. Vaccination also is important for healthcare workers and others who live with or care for high risk people to keep from spreading flu to them.
2. Take Daily Preventive Actions To Stop the Spread of Germs
Try to avoid close contact with sick people and while sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. If you are sick with flu symptoms, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
See Everyday Preventive Actions and Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) for more information about actions – apart from getting vaccinated and taking medicine – that people and communities can take to help slow the spread of illnesses like influenza (flu).
3. Take Antiviral Drugs if Prescribed by your Physician
If you get the flu, antiviral drugs can be used to treat your illness. Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics. They are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) and are not available over-the-counter. Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started within 2 days of getting sick, but starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the sick person has a high risk factor or is very sick from the flu.
The Great Plains QIN Team is working to offer education, resources and tools to promote vaccination best practices, guidelines and tools. We have convened a Learning and Action Network (LAN) to give providers, community organizations and patients the opportunity to share and learn. Ultimately, we intend to improve access to and quality of care through our efforts. Together, we play an important role in helping to educate individuals about immunization recommendations. Join our Learning and Action Network today. All ‘improvers’ welcome.