Not Gone Yet: The Flu’s Still Here

Increase Your Chances of Staying Well

Have you noticed coworkers calling out sick or your cubicle-mates sneezing and coughing? These are all signs that flu season is here. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are calling this the worst flu season in a decade.  While many reports have cited that cases of influenza have dropped over the last few weeks, flu season is still not over, and you are still at risk.

The flu is highly contagious and requires rest for full recovery. If you have the flu, stay home. Going to work or being out and about while sick will only spread the disease.

Health Advocate offers some tips on preventing the flu. While nothing is fool-proof, this information may help keep you safer this flu season as well as help protect you from other respiratory and gastrointestinal bacteria and viruses year-round.

-          Get a flu vaccination. This can be one of the most effective ways to avoid the flu. Many employers offer free flu vaccinations onsite. There are also many pharmacy chains that offer the flu vaccination at a low cost.

-          Avoid close contact with people who are sick. And if you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.

-          Clean your hands. Washing your hands often can help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

-          Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.

-          Practice other good health habits. The CDC recommends cleaning and in some cases disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone around you is ill. Also, get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.

-          Think you might have the flu? Know the symptoms. A fever over 100 degrees, achy muscles, chills and sweats, dry cough, fatigue, weakness and congestion could be indicative of the flu. It’s important to remember that many other viruses cause the same symptoms as the flu. Call your medical provider, who may provide advice and, in some cases, anti-viral treatment to help you get better. Some health and age factors can increase a person’s risk of serious complications from the flu--the CDC lists them here—so be sure to seek medical treatment if any of these factors apply to you and you suspect you have the flu.

-          Know what constitutes an emergency. Some symptoms indicate a need for immediate medical attention. These symptoms could be caused by the flu, or by a number of other illnesses.  Regardless, if any of the following symptoms are present, the CDC advises that you seek medical help right away.

Children:

·         Rapid breathing/trouble breathing

·         Bluish skin color

·         Not waking up/interacting

·         Not drinking enough fluids

·         Irritability to the point where the child doesn’t want to be held

·         Fever with a rash

·         Flu-like symptoms going away, then returning with a fever and worse cough

Infants:

·         Any of the above symptoms

·         Inability to eat

·         Produces no tears when crying

·         Having fewer wet diapers than normal

Adults:

·         Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath

·         Pain or pressure in chest or abdomen

·         Sudden dizziness

·         Confusion

·         Severe or persistent vomiting

·         Flu-like symptoms going away, then returning with a fever and worse cough

Someone close to you could have the flu--perhaps it is a coworker, your spouse or the person on the train next to you during your commute. While you can’t control their health, you can take measures to help keep yourself healthy. If you are a Health Advocate member, call your Personal Health Advocate to learn more about flu prevention.

Fight the flu—start now!

Every fall and winter, 5 to 20 percent of people in the U.S. are infected by seasonal influenza (flu), a virus that attacks the respiratory tract. Experts are saying that this flu season is particularly bad—the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 43 states are already reporting widespread flu outbreaks.  And some cities—such as Boston— are already declaring health emergencies due to a particularly high volume of flu cases reported. 

For some people, contracting the virus can be life-threatening. Therefore, the first line of defense is to get a seasonal flu vaccine. Here’s how you can protect yourself and your loved ones, and how you can turn to Health Advocate for help.

Protect Yourself and Others

• It isn’t too late to get the flu shot! Get your whole family vaccinated. Everyone age 6 months or older should have an annual flu shot. It’s especially important for people at higher risk including young children, pregnant women, people age 65 and older, those with weakened immune systems or chronic illnesses such as asthma, and those who care for others who are at high risk.

• Wash your hands often. Or, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Click here to view best practices for handwashing.

• Cover your mouth. Sneeze and cough into a tissue or into your elbow (if a tissue isn’t handy). This is the best way to prevent virus droplets from becoming airborne.

• Don’t touch your nose and eyes. The virus gains entry into the body through the nose, eyes and mouth. (Don’t nibble on your nails, either.)

Think you have the flu?

• Know the symptoms. A fever over 100 degrees, achy muscles, chills and sweats, dry cough, fatigue, weakness and congestion could mean you have the flu.

• Call your doctor. Your doctor may provide a diagnosis and treatment plan.

• Stay home. Going to work or being out and about while sick will only spread the disease.

• Load up on liquids and get plenty of rest. This can help you prevent dehydration and allow your immune system to mount a good defense.

How Health Advocate can help

If you’re a Health Advocate member, turn to us for help with:

• Researching places to get vaccinated and arranging for a flu shot

• Answering questions about the flu and the vaccination

• Finding you a doctor if you think you have the flu, and help making the appointment

• Resolving any claim or insurance issues

Health Advocate members can call us for help at 866.695.8622 or visit us online at HealthAdvocate.com/members.