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Twitter5 Steps to Get through Arizona’s Flu and Allergy Season
Cold and rainy Arizona winters often lend to a rough flu and allergy season. This season usually reaches its peak in late February and early March. This is largely due to the shift in weather to warmer temperatures, which promotes the rapid growth of plants and pollen. Fluctuations in temperature also weaken immune systems, leaving more people vulnerable to catching a cold, or worse, the flu.
Phoenix family medical wants to be your flu and allergy clinic. Our board certified family providers are well-versed in vaccinations, flu prevention and allergy treatment. Here are some tips from our doctors to help you get through this rough Arizona flu and allergy season.
1. Get Your Flu Shot Early
Granted, this advice comes too little too late for some, but studies show that getting your flu shot as early as late September or early October can help your body fend off common strands of the influenza virus anticipated for that year. It is true that you can still contract the flu from a mutation that the shot is not capable of preventing, but vaccinated patients often endure minor flu symptoms and have a much quicker recovery time than an unvaccinated individual.
2. Avoid Hand to Mouth/Nose Contact as Much as Possible
The most common way to contract the flu is via the nose or the mouth. Infection generally is caused by touching unprotected surfaces followed by touching the nose or mouth. Here’s a quick test: time yourself for five to ten minutes while at school/work or at home. Count how many times you touch a surface and then brush your hand on your face, especially around your nose or mouth. You’d be surprise how much hand to mouth/nose contact you have. Here are some other ways you can reduce your risk of contracting the flu:
3. If You Have the Flu, Stay Home
We cannot stress this point enough. If you have the flu, stay home. You will know if/when you have the flu if you have:
Only seek a doctor’s help if you have a fever for more than three days or if you have another underlying condition that could be made worse by the flu. You don’t want to risk spreading the illness to other patients in the doctor’s office if you only have a mild case. However, if your symptoms are more severe, such as severe coughing or wheezing when breathing or coughing, or if you have any other health complications related to diabetes, heart or lung conditions, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
4. Take Allergy Medication One to Two Weeks Before a Warming Trend
Arizona’s weather is predictable. February often has one last stretch of cold weather before it starts to rapidly warm up. Allergies typically flare up during this weather system change, as plants and trees start to bloom seemingly overnight. Allergies often mimic cold and flu symptoms, including runny noses, nasal congestion, throat irritation, frequent sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes. The main difference is that allergies do not cause a fever and the symptoms persist for more than three days. Another simple test to help you determine if you have a cold or if it is just allergies it to monitor how you feel indoors versus outdoors. Those with allergies will often feel better in air conditioned rooms with limited outdoor interaction. Taking seasonal allergy medications early on can help your body build a defense against the symptoms. Allergies can be unpredictable, but over-the-counter medications can help relieve symptoms.
5. Get Tested for Allergies
Allergies are a problem for up to 30 percent of adults and 40 percent of children. This number continues to grow. In fact, today it is recognized as the third most common chronic disease for those under the age of 18. Allergies come in all forms, including the most common irritants like pollen, pet hair/dandruff and food. As they age, people can also become allergic to trees, grasses, plants, foods, and pets that they once had no problems with. Children that have frequent issues may be recommended to have a skin or blood test to determine their allergy levels, and patients with significant allergies can undergo allergy tests every two years.
Phoenix Family Medical is more than equipped to be your flu and allergy clinic in Arizona. We have five valley-wide locations with board-certified staff and an on-site laboratory to help you with allergy testing. Stop in today or book an appointment online!