Influenza is a common respiratory infection that makes people of all ages sick yearly. Viral in nature, the flu can be prevented or lessened in severity by following some simple preventives and treatments.
Let’s talk about four ways to beat the flu and where you can go for urgent care in Fairless Hills, PA.
1. Get a Flu Vaccine Each Year
Influenza vaccines contain weakened versions of up to four prevalent flu strains. Administered to healthy individuals from age six months up, the annual flu shot boosts the immune system by stimulating antibodies to fight off active illness.
Patients from six months to eight years should receive two shots, one month apart, during the typical flu season starting in September. Older children and adults can get one vaccine, while seniors may be eligible for a specially formulated vaccine that confers an extra measure of protection against this highly contagious illness.
Flu shots can cause some mild injection site soreness. Or, young kids may run a slight fever and/or have limited body aches after their injections. However, there are no serious adverse reactions that result from influenza vaccines.
2. Practice Consistent Hygiene Habits
The flu virus spreads via respiratory droplets from widely sprayed coughs or sneezes. A person directly contacts the germs or picks them up off a hard surface such as a doorknob or tabletop. Then, flu symptoms, such as coughing, sneezing, nasal congestion, fever, and body aches, develop fairly rapidly.
To minimize contact with the flu virus, be sure to:
- Practice frequent handwashing
- Avoid crowds, such as shopping centers and concert venues
- Disinfect hard surfaces in the household and workplace frequently
- Sneeze or cough into a tissue or sleeve
3. Eat Well, and Stay Active
Avoid junk food and consume plenty of low-fat proteins and dairy; pump your fiber intake with fresh fruits and vegetables. Stay hydrated with water, juices, and tea.
Plus, avoid being sedentary. Get light aerobic exercise three to five times a week. A well-conditioned body boasts stronger natural immunity against all kinds of communicable diseases, including influenza.
4. If You Get the Flu, Rest and Relieve Your Symptoms
If you are actively sick, stay home from school and work. Rest, drink a lot of fluids, and take over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve body aches and fever as needed. To reduce nasal congestion, use a room humidifier, especially at night.
Flu Prevention and Treatment in Fairless Hills, PA
At Patient Care Now Urgent Care, our board-certified physicians, and their support team will help you navigate the flu season. We have flu vaccines and can suggest many ways to beat this illness, as needed.
To get your vaccine, simply walk into our office. We are open seven days a week for your convenience. Or, to save some time, use our online check-in on our website. For more information, call Patient Care Now Urgent Care at (267) 202-6433.
We look forward to helping you and your family stay healthy this influenza season.
