Tips to Protect Yourself from the Flu this Season

It’s that time of year again when people are stocking up on cough syrup, tissues and orange juice -- otherwise known as “flu season.” While seasonal influenza (flu) viruses are detected year-round in the United States, flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter months.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with flu can spread it to others from up to about six feet away. Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. The CDC maintains that people with flu are most contagious in the first three to four days after their illness begins. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick. Children and some people with weakened immune systems may pass the virus for longer than seven days.

“Healthy habits can help you avoid the flu,” said Trina Johnson, DO, MBA, System Chief Medical Officer for Penn Highlands Healthcare. “Most importantly it is recommended that members of the community over the age of 6 months get the flu vaccine to help keep themselves and their families safe from the virus.”

In addition to getting vaccinated, Dr. Johnson cites seven actions you can take to protect yourself and others from flu and help stop the spread of germs.

• Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are ill. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from contracting the illness. By placing physical distance between yourself and others, you can help lower the risk of spreading a respiratory virus.

• Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you are ill. It is safe to return to your normal activities when your symptoms are getting better and you have not had a fever without using a fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours.

• Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Influenza viruses are thought to spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. Wearing a mask is an additional prevention strategy that you can choose to do to further protect yourself and others. When worn by a person with an infection, masks reduce the spread of the virus to others. Masks can also protect wearers from breathing in infectious particles from people around them.

• Practice hand hygiene. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth which is commonly referred to as the “T” zone. Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth.

Take steps for cleaner air.

You can improve air quality by bringing in fresh outside air, purifying indoor air or gathering outdoors. Cleaner air can reduce the risk of exposure to viruses.

Practice healthy habits.

Cleaning countertops, handrails and doorknobs regularly can help prevent the spread of some illnesses. Also, get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.

By following these tips, it may lessen your chances of contracting flu, however, it is wise to know the primary symptoms which may include:

• Sudden fever

• Chills

• Body aches

• Headache

• Sore throat

• Cough

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Fatigue

If you experience these symptoms, you may want to seek medical care. Penn Highlands Healthcare offers QCare walk-in clinics throughout Pennsylvania. QCare is ideal for minor injuries and illnesses. Staffed by nurse practitioners and physician assistants, QCare walk-in clinics are a great option when your primary care office is closed or you cannot get an appointment as quickly as you would like. For more information, visit www.phhealthcare.org/qcare.