Every fall, like clockwork, flu season arrives and sticks around until spring. Flu, or influenza, is one of three viruses, known as A (with subtypes such as Bird Flu), B, and C. Flu is highly contagious and affects the whole body, including the lungs, nose, and throat; and it can lead to serious complications to include pneumonia. Every year, between 3,000 and 49,000 Americans in all age groups die from flu.
But here’s the good news- you can help protect yourself and those you love from flu. Experts at the American Lung Association recommend the following:
- Get a flu vaccine every year: Flu vaccine is recommended for everyone over the age of 6 months before it starts circulating in your community, preferably in September or October. Flu vaccine is considered safe, and most people experience little or no reaction. Express any concerns to your doctor.
- Wash your hands often: You can get the flu from touching your mouth, nose, and eyes after touching an object with the virus on it. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer that is 60% alcohol.
- Maintain a Safe Distance: If someone around you is sick, try to keep your distance.
If you are sick, follow these recommendations:
- Stay home: Stay home and rest if you’re feeling unwell. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough to prevent spreading the virus. Remember, you can pass on the flu to others, even before you know you’re sick, and up to a week after symptoms appear. Make sure to drink lots of water and get plenty of rest
- Call your doctor for recommendations: Your doctor may prescribe anti-viral medications and can help with recommendations to ease your symptoms. The doctor will not prescribe antibiotics for flu, as they do not treat viruses. Sometimes antibiotics are prescribed for infections that develop as a complication of flu.
Be Prepared
Have a safe and healthy flu season as you ‘Fend Off Flu’. For more information about the American Lung Association’s Fend Off Flu campaign, go to https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/influenza/fend-off-flu