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On Sunday, just as “Downton Abby” was about to start on WVIA , Mary got a text message from one of her three sisters. She lives in Connecticut and her message read “I guess I should have gotten that flu shot!” She felt awful and was in the early throes of influenza. We texted back advice that she talk to her doctor right away and consider taking one of the oral anti-viral drugs that are available.

Flu season has just started to rear its ugly head. Last year, by now the flu was peaking, yet this year it’s just starting in Pennsylvania and is still pretty uncommon except in Texas, South Carolina and Puerto Rico. The Centers for Disease Control and the Pennsylvania Department of Health both have very elaborate websites that document our battle with influenza and provide some very good advice on staying safe.

You know how crummy you feel when you get sick. If you catch the flu, you can experience a fever, severe muscle and joint aches, weakness or extreme fatigue, a headache, a dry cough, warm and flushed skin, watery eyes, a sore throat and a congested runny nose.

And those symptoms can last up to two to three weeks. And, it could get worse.

Influenza can cause serious complications that can lead to hospitalization or, in some cases, even death. These complications include dehydration, sinusitis (sinus infections), ear infections, bronchitis or bacterial pneumonia.

The flu can worsen long-term medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes.

So let’s remind ourselves about how to lower risks of getting ill. The best way to protect yourself against the flu is to get vaccinated.

Getting an annual seasonal flu vaccine, whether it’s the flu shot or nasal spray, greatly reduces the chance that you’ll catch the flu and spread it to others. The more people in a community that receive the flu vaccine, the less the disease can spread.

It can take up to two weeks for your body to produce antibodies from the vaccine and thus protect you from influenza. Healthcare professionals recommend getting your flu shot as early as the vaccine becomes available. However, if you haven’t received your vaccination yet, it’s not too late. Especially this year when it seems the onset of widespread illness is a little later than some years.

As long as flu viruses are still circulating out there in the community, the vaccination can still protect you.

Flu season typically peaks in late January and February, but has spiked as late as May. So, if you do get a flu shot later, it can help protect you and others from the illness until flu season finally ends.

Getting vaccinated against the flu can reduce the likelihood that you’ll catch it, which means less doctor’s visits and missed work or school as well as preventing flu-related hospitalization.

Everyone ages 6 months and older should get an annual flu vaccine, especially those who have a high risk of serious flu complications, including young children, pregnant women, people 65 years and older, and those with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart and lung disease.

You can also further prevent getting sick by thoroughly washing your hands often and using an alcohol based hand sanitizer often. Cover your mouth with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze. Avoid touching your face, especially your mouth, nose and eyes. This is very hard to do, but worth trying since it contaminates your hands and helps spread the virus. Clean surfaces like TV remotes, phones, doorknobs with disinfectant wipes and pay attention to general cleanliness. As always, exercising regularly, getting plenty of sleep, and eating a healthy diet will maximize your resistance to all sorts of illnesses.

Avoiding close contact with those who are sick is wise and if you get sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home from work or school for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.

If you do get sick despite all your efforts, get in touch with a healthcare provider as soon as you recognize the symptoms, the oral anti-virals that are available do indeed help but only if they’re used in the first few days. They can reduce both severity and duration of the illness when started early enough.

Let’s hope the flu season stays minor this year. The tips above can help but only if you take some responsibility. Happy New Year.

Alfred Casale To Your Health
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_casale.jpg.optimal.jpgAlfred Casale To Your Health

By Alfred Casale

To Your Health

Dr. Alfred Casale is chairman of surgery for the Geisinger Heart Institute, co-director of the Cardiovascular Service Line for the Geisinger Health System and Associate Chief Medical Officer for the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center. Readers may write to him via [email protected].