As the holidays approach, influenza (flu) season is at its peak. It’s extremely important for parents to be proactive in preventing their child, and themselves, from getting the flu this year.
The flu is a contagious virus that attacks the respiratory system and can cause significant illness and, in certain cases, lead to hospitalization or death. Common symptoms of the flu include fever, aching muscles, chills and sweats, headache, dry cough, fatigue, nasal congestion and sore throat.
Flu viruses travel through the air, and when someone who has the flu coughs, sneezes or talks, you can inhale the virus directly from them. You can also pick up flu germs from certain objects, such as a door handle or telephone, and then transfer those germs to your eyes, nose or mouth.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone over the age of six months. Each year, the flu vaccine is typically available as a shot or nasal spray.
I urge everyone to get a flu shot either through your primary care physician or elsewhere. The Marion County Public Health Department offers low-cost flu vaccines at its district health offices. Flu shots are $20 for adults and kids ages 2-18; and free for children under two years old. Medicare and Medicaid are accepted. For more information, or to find out locations and times for vaccines at the Marion County Public Health Department’s district health offices, call the Flu Clinic Hotline at 317-221-2121. You can also get flu shots at places like Walgreens and CVS, or by visiting your primary care physician.
Although I highly recommend it, the flu vaccine isn’t always 100 percent effective, so it’s also important to take other measures to help reduce the spread of the virus, including:
• Avoiding close contact — Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.
• Staying home when you are sick — If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.
• Covering your mouth and nose — Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
• Cleaning your hands — Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer.
• Avoiding 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.
• Practicing other good health habits — Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.
If you do come down with the flu, these measures may help ease you or your child’s symptoms:
• Drink plenty of liquids, such as water, juice and warm soups, to prevent dehydration.
• Get plenty of sleep to help your immune system fight infection.
• Consider pain relievers, such as an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), to fight the achiness associated with the flu.
To learn more about receiving this year’s flu vaccine, please see your child’s pediatrician or primary care physician. Eskenazi Health provides well-child checkup services at several locations. For more information on these services or to find a pediatrician or primary care physician, please call 317-880-8687. Eskenazi Health Center has a sliding fee schedule and is open to all regardless of ability to pay.
Nydia Nuñez-Estrada, M.D.
Family Medicine
Eskenazi Health Center North Arlington