26
February

5 More Unexpected Ways to Catch the Flu

Unexpected Ways to Catch the Flu

In our last post, we discussed the five ways you can catch the flu without even realizing it. We also talked about what you can do to protect yourself. In this post we will take a look at five more unexpected ways in which you put yourself at risk for the flu. Remember, February is the peak of the flu season and you can’t be too careful!

REPLACING HAND-WASHING WITH ANTIBACTERIAL GEL

Antibacterial gels can get rid of germs when a sink and water aren’t available. But there is no evidence to prove that they kill viruses. For the best sanitation, use an antibacterial gel that is 60 to 95% alcohol based and wash your hands whenever you can. Remember, even the best of gels is not a substitute for good old hand washing.

NOT WASHING HANDS CORRECTLY OR FREQUENTLY

Experts recommend that you should wash your hands 10 times a day for the best protection against germs. However, a lot of people don’t even wash their hands after sneezing or coughing! And when they do it’s for less than 10 seconds when you should at least wash your hands for 20 seconds. Make sure that you properly scrub your hands and the areas between the fingers for the wash to be effective.

IMPROPERLY DISPOSING A FACE MASK

Face masks can reduce the number of germs that get access to your nose or mouth but they quickly become a host of germs themselves. It’s therefore important that you are very careful when you take the masks off. Touch only the straps to remove them and don’t let it touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Throw it away and wash your hands after you’re done.

UNNECESSARILY MEDICATING YOURSELF

A number of people rush to stores to stock up on flu meds like Tamiflu and take them prematurely in hopes to have advance protection against the illness. However, the truth is that most of these people would probably have never needed the medicine and only contributed to making the virus more resistant to these drugs. Talk to one of our doctors at the MedHelp clinic before you start taking such medication especially if you are administering it to your child.

TAKING THE FLU TOO LIGHTLY

This is the opposite of the first tip we discussed in the previous post. While you shouldn’t worry too much about the flu, you also shouldn’t throw all caution to the wind. You might have a heightened sense of your immunity because of your youth or history of good health but the fact is that the flu doesn’t really discriminate even if it helps if you are not in a high risk group like the pregnant or elderly. Therefore its important to take care of yourself and be knowledgeable about protecting yourself while still not obsessing about it.

Hopefully our tips will help you battle the flu season and come out of it illness free. However, if you haven’t been so lucky and feel a bit under the weather, visit us at the MedHelp clinic and we will help you recover soon enough!

 

 

 

 

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26
February

The Flu Five: The 5 Unexpected Ways You Can Catch the Flu

The 5 Unexpected Ways to Catch the Flu

We have dedicated all our February posts to influenza and for good reason: as we mentioned at the start of the month, February is the peak of flu season in North America. This means you are more at risk of catching the flu in February than in any other time of the year.  You can reduce the risk by being extra careful this month. Getting the flu shot and limiting your contact with flu victims are obvious precautions but here are five unexpected ways you put yourself at risk for the flu which will require you to be a little more diligent:

GETTING WORKED UP

If you spend too much time worrying about the scary stories you’ve read online about the H1N1, you will only make yourself more vulnerable to the flu. Research has shown that anxiety results in problems like insomnia and depression etc. which can weaken your immune system and put you at a higher risk for catching the flu. So, as the old adage goes, a piece of good advice this month is ‘don’t worry, be happy’.

GREETING SOMEONE

We don’t want you to become an unsocial hermit but you should be aware that even shaking hands is a reliable way of getting someone else’s germs on your body. Kissing and hugging are similarly risky. You should try to maintain at least a 6 foot distance between yourself and a flu patient. However, we understand that that only allows for a cold wave from across the room. So if you feel you must shake hands to avoid being rude, make sure to wash your hands afterwards (and before you touch your face with them).

SMOKING

Here’s yet another reason for you to give up smoking. Research shows that the tiny hair inside the nasal and respiratory passage (that fight disease and germs) are weakened by smoking which make you more vulnerable to illnesses like the flu. There’s also significant evidence to suggest that lungs previously damaged by smoking can put you at a higher risk for developing serious complications from viral illnesses.

OVEREXERCISING

The right amount of exercise has obvious health and immune system benefits. However over exercising can weaken your body’s defense and make you vulnerable to the flu. So make sure you don’t over exert yourself this month. Also, hitting the gym ever so often isn’t a good idea in itself too. You can catch germs from the people and machines in the facility.

DRINKING

Consuming a large amount of alcohol in a short amount of time makes it harder for you to fight off infections. It can also dehydrate which reduces your body’s mucus production. So cut back on your drinking this month.

If you think you are coming down with the flu, visit us at the MedHelp clinic right away where our team of doctors and medical experts will have your diagnosis and treatment started right away. Join us again for more unexpected ways of catching the flu and what you can do to protect yourself.

 

 

 

 

 

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18
February

Is It a Cold, an Allergy or the Flu?

Is It a Cold, an Allergy or the Flu?

Is It a Cold, an Allergy or the Flu?

Feel like you are coming down with something but not sure of exactly what that something is? Don’t worry: you are not the only one feeling a bit under the weather these days. February is the peak of flu season and there are lots of runny noses and high fevers to be found. However, while flu is definitely enemy #1 this month, you could just as easily be suffering from the common cold or an undiagnosed- and newly acquired- allergy. That’s why it’s important to identify your ailment before you can take steps to treat it. Check out the symptoms for colds, allergies and the flu below to find out what you have- and how to treat it.

SEASONAL FLU

If you are suffering from a fever that’s quickly escalated up to 102 degree Fahrenheit, and you also feel discomfort, aches or fatigue, you probably have the seasonal flu. Drink plenty of liquids and use over-the-counter medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for treatment. You will need antivirals like Tamiflu if you are in a high risk group (pregnant, elderly or severely ill).

H1N1/SWINE FLU

If the seasonal flu symptoms (albeit a bit milder) are accompanied by gastro problems (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting), your ailment might be the swine flu. Treatment advice for seasonal flu also applies for H1N1/swine flu but as this flu is much more contagious, take all necessary precautions and limit your contact with other people. Take some days off to recover at home but if you are not better by the end of the week, see a doctor.

COMMON COLD

High fevers are associated with the flu but if you feel that your fever stays in a comfortable range under 100 degrees Fahrenheit and you don’t have any particular aches to complain of, you might be suffering from the common cold. You will have to deal with nasal congestion though as a runny nose and a little cough is to be expected. As with the flu, staying hydrated and getting plenty of rest is also a top tip for the common cold. Colds run their course and medicine can only make you feel a bit better. So the only cure is to wait it out!

ALLERGIES

If you have a feeling of itchiness in either the eyes, nose and/or throat, you might have something different to deal with than the majority (who are probably all complaining about the flu). Allergies are less common in Winter time than they are in the Spring and Fall, but if you feel an attack coming, the best fix for you will be antihistamines or a netipot. If you already know your allergies, you should keep your meds with you at all times.

If you are still unsure of what’s ailing you, just visit us at the MedHelp clinic. Our doctors and trained medical staff will find out what’s wrong with you- whether it’s a cold, the flu or an allergy- and provide you with the correct treatment right away.

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12
February

How to Stay Flu Free in February

February is the peak of flu season

February is the peak of the flu season

Spring time and warmer days might only be a few weeks away but February is not the month to drop your guard. And by that we mean you should take extra precautions this month and avoid putting yourself at risk for the flu and common cold. According to a report by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), February is the peak of flu season and you are more likely to contract influenza or catch a cold this month than in any other time of the year.

Since you would not want to miss out on work days or stay at home with a runny nose, here’s what you can do to protect yourself and fight the flu:

GET YOUR FLU SHOT

Consider yourself lucky if you have managed to stay flu free in the last couple of months without getting a flu shot. However, since there’s no telling when your luck will run out, you should get a flu shot as soon as possible to make sure your February is as flu free as the months preceding it. The CDC now recommends everyone to get a flu shot every six months and that applies to you too. You can easily and quickly get your flu shot by just walking into the MedHelp clinic in Alpharetta.

EAT WELL

Your immune system is your best bet against the flu and common cold and it only works effectively when you eat well. Eating well doesn’t mean overeating or stuffing yourself with junk food, of course. You should try to maintain a healthy diet that’s high on good protein like lean meats, beans and fish- all of which help build the white blood cells fundamental to your immune system. Round up your diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and water, and you will be able to provide your immune system with the ammunition it needs to fight the flu virus.

EXERCISE

People who exercise and enjoy an active lifestyle are less likely to fall ill than people who don’t. Regular exercise and physical activity stimulate your immune system and help it protect your body from the flu and common cold. Exercise is also instrumental to long term health and happiness.

Join us again for more advice on protecting yourself through the flu season. You can also read useful tips and find helpful information about the flu and common cold by browsing our archives.

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