Louisville, KY – Cover your mouth when you cough. Wash your hands frequently. Stay away from someone who has the flu. Simple steps like these can have the greatest impact on preventing the flu.
Although a flu shot is still one of the best ways to prevent the illness, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends other steps to take if you are not able to get a vaccine, said Mary Lynn Spalding, President of Visiting Nurse Association.
According to the CDC, flu is spread through contact with flu germs. The germs can be released into the air when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes, or they can be picked up from touching a surface the infected person has touched.
“We are working diligently to locate additional flu vaccine. But in the meantime, there are many things you can do to reduce your chances of catching the flu or spreading to others if you do become infected,” Spalding said.
The CDC recommends:
-Wash your hands frequently. When using soap and water, wash for 15 to 20 seconds (about the time it takes to say your ABCs or sing Happy Birthday)
-If you can’t wash your hands, use an alcohol-based cleaner
-Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
-Refrain from close contact with people who are sick
-Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, and discard the tissue into a wastebasket
-If you get sick, stay home
The flu cannot be cured or treated with antibiotics, said Lynn Simon, M.D., vice president Medical Affairs, Jewish Hospital. “Although there are drugs available that – when taken early – can lessen the symptoms and the impact of the flu, it cannot be cured. Continual use of antibiotics when they are not needed can contribute to antibiotic resistance, or making them less effective when they are needed. That’s one of the reasons Jewish Hospital partnered with the Centers for Disease Control on its Get Smart campaign, which encourages people to use antibiotics only when necessary.”
Flu symptoms are similar to a cold, but much more intense. Flu symptoms include:
-Fever
-Body aches
-Extreme tiredness
-Dry cough
If you get the flu, it is important to take care of yourself, Dr. Simon said. “There are a few antiviral medications that can reduce symptoms, shorten the time you are sick by one or two days and make you less contagious. But those are recommended for those in the high-risk group,” she said. Others should simply treat the symptoms, using the steps below:
-Drink plenty of liquids
-Avoid alcohol and tobacco
-Take medication to relieve the symptoms of flu (but never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms – and particularly fever – without first speaking to your doctor)
-If you have any questions about your symptoms or the duration of the disease, check with your physician
The Visiting Nurse Association has held a few flu shot clinics already this year, and is working to obtain more vaccine. As additional vaccine becomes available, the Visiting Nurse Association will follow the CDC recommendations for distributing the vaccine to the groups at highest risk:
-Anyone 65 years and older
-Anyone with a chronic medical condition
-Women who will be pregnant during the flu season
-Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
-Health care workers giving direct patient care
-Those who care for or live with children younger than six months
To hear an updated recording of VNA’s weekly schedule of flu shot sites and times, call the VNA Flu Hot Line at (502) 581-8614. Or you can speak with a VNA Flu Clinic coordinator at 896-2322.
VNA, which is one of the largest home health agencies in the state, delivers in-home health care to 7,000 patients a year and makes some 175,000 home visits. In January 2004, VNA made its six millionth home visit. VNA Home Care is a member of the Jewish Hospital Health Network.
