Fight Off the Flu

by Cheng-Ling Chen — November 8, 2007

With flu season upon us, I am looking for ways to ward off this pesky virus that takes so many of us down every year. Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus, which spreads in body fluids transmitted through coughing or sneezing. An infected adult can infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. Symptoms include: fever, headache, exhaustion, dry cough, sore throat, congestion, and achy muscles.

Getting flu vaccinations each fall is the best prevention against the illness. The flu shot is injected with a needle containing inactivated viruses and is approved for use in people older than 6 months. Now, if you're like me and the thought of a needle puncturing your arm makes you shake in your rain boots, there is also a nasal-spray flu vaccine, made with live, weakened flu viruses. The spray is approved for use in healthy people 2 to 49 years of age who are not pregnant. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends October or November as the best time to get vaccinated.

Below are other preventive tips recommended by the CDC. These may sound like common sense, but we can probably all use a reminder just about now.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough
• Clean your hands often with soap and warm water
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
• Maintain healthy habits, such as getting plenty of sleep, staying physically active and hydrated, and eating nutritious food

Let's all stay healthy and let the flu bug pass us by!