How to Keep From Getting the Flu With a Big Family

Katie Zinicola, MSN, CPNP is a pediatric nurse practitioner with Democracy Emergency Physicians. Click hither to learn more than about Inova Urgent Intendance services and locations.

Preparing for Influenza Season

While this fourth dimension of year brings cool weather fun, it too brings influenza – other wise known as the flu. This dreaded virus can cause fever, cough, runny nose, nasal congestion, headache, sore pharynx, body aches, fatigue and occasionally vomiting and/or diarrhea. Information technology is contagious and often warrants fourth dimension off from school or work and a trip to the doctor'southward part. In some cases, antiviral drugs volition be prescribed.

While most people will recover from the flu without major complications, in some situations, the flu can cause secondary infections (e.g. pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus and/or ear infections), hospitalizations, and fifty-fifty death. The elderly, young children, expectant mothers, and people with certain health conditions are at loftier risk of serious flu complications.

Here are a few tips to best protect yourself and your family unit from the flu:

one. Get a influenza shot. Getting a yearly flu vaccine is the number 1 thing you tin can do to decrease your chance of getting the flu, decrease the severity of symptoms if you lot do get the flu, and help reduce the spread of the illness. Both the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a yearly flu shot for everyone 6 months and older (unless y'all have an allergy to the flu vaccine or ane of its ingredients).

The flu vaccine can help save y'all or a loved 1's life. According to the CDC, eighty percent of influenza deaths that occurred in children last year were in children who were non vaccinated. The AAP notes that if your child contracts the flu subsequently vaccination, he or she is more likely to accept less severe symptoms for a shorter elapsing and the risk of hospitalization is much lower.

Children vi months to viii years old need a two-dose series of the flu vaccine with the second dose administered four weeks after the kickoff. This is recommended for those children being vaccinated for the first fourth dimension and those who accept only previously gotten one dose of the vaccine. Those children who have previously gotten two doses of vaccine (at any time) only need one dose of vaccine this flavour.

Information technology's a good idea to go routine immunizations like the flu vaccine at your chief care office then they can continue an up-to-date immunization record. If you're non able to visit your chief care provider, the vaccine is available at all Inova Urgent Care Centers. Don't forget to ask for a copy of your proof of vaccination to share with your primary care provider!

Myth-busters near the flu vaccine

– Myth: "The influenza vaccine always gives me the flu."
– Fact: The vaccine does non crusade the flu.

The injectable vaccine contains an inactivated form of the virus that cannot cause the flu and the nasal spray vaccine contains a weakened flu virus that volition not crusade influenza. Balmy side furnishings can issue following vaccination and will resolve on their own later on a few days.

It'south important to remember that flu flavor is also a time when many other viruses circulate. You can often catch a cold virus that yields similar, less severe symptoms to the influenza, but it'due south not actually influenza. It is too possible to be vaccinated likewise tardily. It takes about ii weeks for your trunk to brand antibodies confronting the influenza after the vaccination. Be sure to become your vaccination before flu season begins and your body is exposed to the virus.

– Myth: "I'm non elderly or young and I'one thousand healthy. I don't need the flu vaccine."
– Fact: A yearly flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.

By getting the flu vaccine, you not merely protect yourself from the flu – just you're protecting those around you lot who may be at college risk for serious flu complications (e.g. significant women, children, the elderly, the immunosuppressed, and those with chronic medical conditions).

2. Cover your oral fissure when you coughing and sneeze and encourage others to exercise the same.

3. Wash your easily and disinfect surfaces at dwelling house. It'due south important to remember that the flu is very contagious. Washing your hands with warm soap and h2o reduces the spread of germs that cause the flu among objects and people. Disinfect surfaces in your home to forbid the spread of germs to other family members or friends.

4. Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes. Your hands come into contact with lots of germs every twenty-four hours. If you have a habit of touching your nose, mouth, or eyes, you bring those germs to your body'southward front door.

5. Avoid contact with sick people if you are able.

vi. Take care of your general health. Proceed your immune system in good shape to fight off disease by getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and keeping any chronic health problems under control.

7. If you or a loved 1 contracts the flu, follow these precautions to best prevent the spread of flu. When yous accept a fever, stay habitation from school or work and refrain from going out in public until it has been gone for 24 hours. You lot tin likewise speak with your healthcare provider about antiviral medications; they may be a good selection for your family if someone in your house gets the flu.

Need intendance correct now?

Inova's Urgent Intendance Centers are located throughout Northern Virginia.

For more data about the influenza vaccine and this season's recommended guidelines, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American University of Pediatrics (AAP) websites.

Delight note: Commodity content reviewed September 2019.

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Source: https://www.inovanewsroom.org/expert-commentary/2018/11/flu-season-how-to-keep-your-family-healthy/

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