Flu season gets into full swing from late fall to spring. At a time of the year when many of us are busier than ever, the flu can take us out of commission and wreck our plans. Worse yet, the flu can endanger our health and that of those around us. At Integra Urgent Care, we see many cases of influenza in the Dallas-Fort Worth area every year. Our goal is to help you avoid contracting and spreading the flu with these six tips.
What is the flu?
The flu is a viral respiratory infection. It’s spread via droplets through sneezing, coughing and talking. You can also get the flu from touching objects in the droplets’ path. Symptoms include the following:
- Chills
- Sweating
- Headaches
- Stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Muscle aches
- Dry, lasting cough
- Feeling tired or weak
- Fever of 100.4 F or higher
The infection often lasts for a week or two, but complications can lead to even more serious illnesses. Bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections, asthma attacks and even heart problems can result from a bout with the flu. Children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses are at the highest risk for flu complications.
What can I do?
The Integra Urgent Care team urges patients at our Dallas-Fort Worth-area clinics to take these six precautions to avoid the flu:
- 1. Avoid sick people and crowds. If you know someone is sick with the flu, avoid contact when possible. If you’ve been ill with the flu, stay at home until you’ve been fever-free without the aid of a fever reducer for at least 24 hours.
- 2. Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after handling shared items or touching surfaces in public places.
- 3. Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes to prevent the spread of germs.
- 4. Ask your healthcare provider about flu shots. These immunizations protect against the most common flu strains. Your doctor can tell you if a flu shot is right for you.
- 5. Disinfect surfaces. From shared keyboards and phones to handrails and ATMs, germs and bacteria are spread in a variety of ways. Clean surfaces thoroughly with disinfecting wipes or cleaners whenever possible, and avoid touching items in public with your bare hands. Don’t forget to clean your cell phone and other personal items you handle often.
- 6. Boost your immune system to stay healthier during flu season and all year long. Drink plenty of water, get lots of sleep, exercise and avoid unnecessary stress. Eat lots of fruits and veggies, and drink alcohol and caffeinated beverages in moderation.
These six steps will help you avoid contracting and spreading the flu. Although it can be difficult to avoid places where you’re likely to come into contact with sick people, these precautions go a long way towards preventing the spread of this potentially dangerous viral infection. If you do become ill, Integra Urgent Care is here for you. With locations in Las Colinas, Weatherford, and Grand Prairie, TX, there’s an Integra clinic ready to serve you.