With the world returning to normal, how best can you protect yourself from the flu?
With the world slowly getting back to normal, we are seeing adults returning to work, children going back to their respective schools and colleges, and life coming back to the way it used to be. People are traveling again and the exposure and proximity to each other, minus social distancing, is beginning to seem normal.
In most parts of India, summer has given way to monsoons. As much as we may love the monsoon season, we are all aware of the infections and illnesses it brings with it. Cough, cold, and flu, are the most common ones.1
What is the Flu?
Flu is what Influenza is more commonly known for. This airborne infection is contagious and spreads pretty fast, through touch and the air.3
Children are the ones most susceptible to it because their immunity is still building. Not that adults can escape it. Pregnant women, older people, who tend to have low immunity as well, and just about anyone can catch this airborne infection that transmits equally fast through touch, as it does through air.2
The symptoms of the flu vary from person to person, which is why it can be mistaken for a common cold, and either treated thus or simply left untreated.2
Common Symptoms of the Flu:
- Feeling feverish or having a fever4
- Cough4
- Sore Throat4
- Muscle or Body Ache4
- Headache4
- Runny or Blocked Nose4
- Exhaustion4
How does one safeguard against getting the Flu?
Avoid proximity to an infected person.5
Wash your hands often and well, with soap and water.5
Cover your nose and mouth while coughing and sneezing.5
Consult your doctor for more information and details about getting the Flu Vaccination.5
Who needs a Flu Vaccine?
According to my doctor, everybody does. Let me explain why. Even if one family member, or even your house help, catches the flu everyone else is at risk too. But when everyone gets vaccinated then everyone is safe and protected from it.6
Moreover, I also joined a Facebook live session powered by Abbott India where the doctors explained to us the importance of annual influenza vaccination both for kids and adults. I totally agreed and wanted to share my learnings in my blog post. Read on and let’s join hands in the #FightAgainstFlu.
What is the best time to get a flu vaccination and at what intervals?
My family doctor suggested that an annual vaccination is a must. The influenza virus mutates every year, which is why getting vaccinated annually against the flu is important. He was also of the opinion that getting our vaccinations before school starts for children would be the best time to get it, as that would mean that children are protected against this airborne infection, as are the adults.6
Since children have a higher chance of picking up the flu from school and thus transmitting it to the adults at home, all the members of the family getting vaccinated would keep everyone safe from it.5
Are you aware of the flu vaccine? If yes, have you and your family taken it this year?
References:
- https://www.healthshots.com/preventive-care/self-care/side-effects-of-season-change-on-health-and-tips-to-handle-it/
- https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm
- https://blog.houseofdiagnostics.com/2020/07/13/monsoon-diseases-and-their-prevention/
- https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/symptoms.htm
- https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/prevention.htm
- https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccinations.htm
