Even though it’s barely fall, now is the time to prepare for flu season. Over the next few months, we’ll likely see an increase in respiratory viruses, including the flu. There are several ways you can help yourself and your family get ready to fight the flu this winter.
Influenza (or the flu) is a contagious virus that affects people’s nose, throat, and lungs. This virus spreads easily from person to person through small particles that travel through the air when a person talks, coughs, or sneezes. Symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and body aches.
The flu can be more severe or even fatal for some people, including those with pre-existing medical conditions, people who live in long-term care facilities, and children under the age of 5. Parents, caregivers, and family members should know the emergency signs and symptoms of the flu and seek medical attention if their loved one is exhibiting these symptoms. In adults, emergency warning signs include difficulty breathing/shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, sudden dizziness, and severe vomiting. In children, trouble breathing, a bluish skin color, high fever with a rash, and not eating or drinking enough are emergency warning signs.
If you do end up getting sick, there are steps you can take to help yourself feel better and improve your symptoms. While you’re sick, spend time resting in bed and avoid doing anything too strenuous. Make sure to drink plenty of liquids like water. While you’re sick, you should avoid drinking alcohol or smoking, which can worsen your symptoms. People with the flu may be prescribed antiviral medications by their doctor within the first few days that they are sick. Antiviral drugs can help reduce fever and other flu symptoms. If you get the flu and are interested in antiviral medications, you should talk to your doctor soon after your symptoms begin. People who are very sick should seek medical care right away if their symptoms include the following: fever above 104°F, bluish lips or face, seizures, difficulty breathing, or worsening of chronic medical conditions. If you have the flu and you are concerned about certain symptoms, do not hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider.
Taking steps like getting vaccinated, practicing good hand hygiene, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick can help prevent the spread of the virus. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get the flu vaccine, and there are certain groups of people who are especially encouraged to get a flu shot. Healthcare workers, people over the age of 65, people who live in term care facilities, people with underlying medical conditions, and infants are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated. Additionally, people who aren’t a part of one of these groups should still get vaccinated to reduce their risk of getting sick. Getting vaccinated against the flu not only protects the person who got vaccinated but also those around them: their parents, their children, their spouse, their friends, and their co-workers. When someone gets vaccinated, they help break the chain of transmission, preventing the disease from infecting them and their loved ones.
The flu vaccine is widely available, and community members can visit vaccines.gov to find a location to get vaccinated. Many employers also offer the flu vaccine to employees at the job site, so check with your employer about any upcoming vaccine clinics. Additionally, Green County Public Health will be working with local school districts to offer the flu vaccine to children at schools in Green County.
It’s important to note that the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccines are different, and it’s recommended that people get both. The new updated COVID-19 vaccine boosters will not include the flu vaccine. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recommended an updated COVID-19 vaccine which will be available later this fall. Green County Public Health will notify the community when this vaccine is available. To learn more about this decision, check out the U.S. FDA’s website.
To get more information and updates about the flu vaccine and the new COVID-19 vaccine booster, you can follow Green County Public Health on our new Facebook page, @greencountyph. Community members can also visit our website, gcpublichealth.org, for more information. Or, if you have specific questions, call us at (608) 328-9390.
— Bridget Zimmerman is the Public Health Educator for the Green County Public Health Department and can be reached at bzimmerman@greencountywi.org or 608-328-9509.
