IT IS THAT TIME OF THE YEAR – FLU SEASON
by Ngozi Osuagwu, MD | December 3rd, 2017
“The flu vaccine does not work”
“Every time, I get the flu vaccine, I get sick”
“I have never had the flu vaccine and I have done okay”
These are the common excuses given to me when I offer the flu vaccine and it is refused. This is National Influenza Vaccination Week. It is not too late to get the flu vaccine. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect against the flu. Flu activity is usually highest between December and February, however can last as late as May. The people most susceptible to getting the flu are babies, young children, the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.
Influenza (flu) kills and needs to be taken seriously. Recently in the news, a 20 year old young woman, mother of two died from complications related to the flu. It is important that we are proactive when it comes to the flu.
What can you do?
- Get the flu vaccine. Please click here for frequently asked question regarding the flu vaccine for the 2017-18 season.
- Wash your hands – if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. It should contain at least 60 % alcohol.
- Get your rest – It is so important to get enough sleep.
- Exercise regularly
- Manage your stress
- Scrape your tongue – see previous blog titled Add Tongue Scraping to your Oral Hygiene Routine.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth – germs spread when you touch something contaminated and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Wipe down items used by many people – the computer and telephone for example.
- Limit your exposure to sick people
- Eat a balanced nutritious diet, including foods rich in vitamin C and zinc
- If prescribed an antiviral medication, take it as directed
For the record, I got my flu vaccine last week. Use your search engine and type HealthMap Vaccine Finders to find locations where you can go to get the flu vaccine as well as other vaccines.
