Sniffling. Coughing. Aches and pains. Sound familiar? Many of us know the feeling — and the symptoms — all too well. The influenza virus, or the “flu," normally lies dormant during the summer months, but now that it's fall, the flu is sure to be back in full force.
The flu is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused by influenza viruses. “On average, influenza affects between 5% and 20% of the U.S. population. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized and on average 23,600 people die from flu-related causes or complications each year,” according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Influenza viruses change constantly, causing new strains to emerge and spread to more people. A recent example is the 2009 outbreak of H1N1 or “swine flu.” Because of these fluctuations, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) monitors the viruses worldwide and makes formal recommendations about which strains to include in each year’s vaccines.
Anyone is fair game for the flu, even those who are healthy. However, some people — children, pregnant women, seniors — are at higher risk. Follow these steps from the CDC and prepare to give the flu the boot.
1. Get vaccinated.
“The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year,” according to the CDC. The vaccine protects against the most common strains, including H1N1. Vaccination is especially important if you are a healthcare provider, work with children or the elderly, or are in close quarters with co-workers.
The flu vaccine cannot give you the flu because the viruses in the flu shot are not live viruses. Some people experience minor side effects — fever, aches, soreness where the shot was given — but not the flu itself.
It’s never too late to get vaccinated. Even though flu season begins in October, it peaks in February and can occur as late as May.
2. Be a germ stopper.
You can spread the flu without knowing it. You’re contagious one day before feeling the symptoms and five to seven days after becoming sick. The flu spreads through coughing, sneezing and especially touching someone with the flu. If you’re experiencing symptoms, be sure to:
- Seek medical attention.
- Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough. To avoid spreading germs, sneeze into the crook of your arm, not your hand.
- Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever dies down (lower than 100 degrees). Don’t work sick — by “toughing it out” and coming to work when you’re ill, you could spread the flu and endanger others.
3. Listen to your doctor.
The next line of defense (after vaccination) should happen quickly after you are infected. If you feel flu-like symptoms coming on, visit your doctor as soon as possible. Antiviral prescription drugs — available in brand-name and generic — can shorten the time you are sick by one or two days and work best when started within two days of getting sick. If you wait too long, you won’t be a candidate for these drugs, so don’t delay.
More sleep may lessen your flu symptoms
Getting a good night’s sleep could improve your immune system’s ability to fight the flu. A 2009 study by Carnegie Mellon University found a link between sleep and a healthy immune system. The study found that there’s a better chance of fighting off respiratory bugs — the flu and the common cold — for people who get more than eight hours of sleep. People who slept fewer than seven hours increased their risk of catching a cold by threefold.
Your health is important to us. As your advocate for wellness, GuideStone has created a wellness website full of articles, challenges, inspirational stories and information. We encourage you to be proactive about a healthy lifestyle by make choices — like getting vaccinated — to improve your quality of life. Set healthy habits for your family and share tips with your co-workers.
GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention welcomes the opportunity to share this general information. However, this article is not intended to be relied upon as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.