How to Prepare for Flu Season
The arrival of winter and changes in temperature will begin to affect the defense of our immune system, resulting in the arrival of the most common illness of all: the flu. This year, in order to help prepare you for the flu season, we talked to experts at Spectrum Health Community, where the community can find different health programs and services. When we asked these experts what we can do to prevent the flu, they advise us the following:
• Flu Shot: It’s the most important thing anyone can do during the winter season. Most health insurances cover it for free, otherwise if you do not have insurance, you can consult in your employer, since many offer it to their employees for free. In addition, the vast majority of Michigan health departments offer free flu shots.
• Inform yourself: Many people believe that the flu causes nausea, vomiting or stomach problems. The reality is that the flu causes fever, aches throughout the body and trouble breathing or coughing. In some cases, it can also appear in those who have nasal congestion problems. If you have any of these symptoms, you should go to a physician right away.
• Wash your hands often.
• Avoid touching your face regularly
• Avoid contact with people who are sick or have the flu.
• If you already have the flu, stay home; this way whatever advice/treatment your physician prescribed will be more effective, and will prevent other people from getting sick.
The people who most need to protect themselves from the flu are the elderly, young children and pregnant women.
Spectrum Health recommends that once some of these flu-related symptoms are detected, you should immediately consult with a physician who can recommend the appropriate treatment. One popular and often used medication is called “Tamiflu,” which is thought to prevent the appearance of the flu and can help with a fast recovery. Even so, its use should be based on advice from medical experts who will recommend the right time to start treatment, otherwise its use may not have the desired positive effect.
Now that you know a little more about the symptoms and how to prevent the flu, take care of your health. If you need medical help or have more questions, do not hesitate to consult Spectrum Health Community experts who will be able to advise you and help you prevent weather-related illnesses in Michigan.
To know more about them visit www.spectrumhealth.org
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