Healthy Tips for Seniors: Flu Season during Covid, Be Prepared
In the United States Flu Season most commonly occurs during the Fall and Winter. Influenza activity is more active during October and can last until late May, although peaks of Flu cases are seen in December and February. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the most important method of protection from the flu and its potentially serious complications.
Although receiving the Flu vaccine is the first and most important prevention method, there are other habits to keep in mind that will reduce the risk of getting the FLU or getting sick in general. The following are steps recommended by the CDC that can aid in fighting the FLU this season.
- Vaccination: The Flu vaccine protects against virus strands that are considered to be common during the Flu season. Those at a higher risk for these virus strands are the elderly and those with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease.
- Daily recommended health habits include:
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like flu.
- If you are experiencing flu like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue) it is important that you contact your physician for further assessment. It is also important to stay home for at least 24 hours if you have a fever to prevent spreading germs to others.
- If you are prescribed medications, it is imperative that you take them as prescribed.
As we continue to deal with Coronavirus Pandemic, it is important that you connect with your physician when you are not feeling well. As Coronavirus and Flu virus share some similar symptoms such as fever, it is important that you are evaluated to identify the cause of your illness. If you do not have a physician there are two geriatric physicians that visit the Treemont Campus: Dr. Ahmed and Dr. Zaharia. Please contact Senior Allegiance to schedule an appointment. We also recommend contacting Dispatch Health, a mobile urgent care services, that can provide medical services in the comfort of your own home. Please contact Senior Allegiance for further information.
