Preventing Influenza

A sigh of relief can be heard throughout Arizona as residents in the valley welcome Fall with open arms with temperatures lower than the triple digits. While Fall is arguably the best time of year in Arizona, unfortunately, it is also the start of flu season. Luckily, there are several precautions you can take to help keep yourself healthy while enjoying the cooler seasons.

Many doctors agree that getting a flu shot is the most important, and strongest, line of defense you can get to reduce your chances of obtaining the virus and spreading it to your family and coworkers. Flu shots are also covered by most people’s insurance and a co-pay may not even be required.

Whether you decide on getting the vaccination or not, it is important to take other preventative actions to protect yourself from contracting influenza or spreading it to others. Here are some tips:

• Use anything as a barrier, such as your sleeve or a tissue, when having to touch doorknobs, sinks, handles, switches or levers
• Keep your hands away from your face, particularly from your eyes, nose and mouth. Unless you have washed your hands, keep them below your neck at all times
• Do not sneeze into your hand. Try to cough or sneeze into your inner elbow and wash your hands afterwards.
• The most infectious time while influenza is in your system is before you even start showing symptoms. If you start to feel as though you are becoming sick, be very careful not to contaminate common surfaces that other people use, such as door handles or keyboards
• Practice good health habits like getting plenty of sleep, managing your stress, maintaining physical activity, drinking plenty of fluids and eating nutritiously. It is also important to clean and disinfect surfaces frequently
• Avoid close contact with whoever is sick

Even though these tips are helpful through flu season, it is advised to follow these throughout the year as well. Be proactive. Taking multivitamins, quitting smoking, getting annual flu vaccinations and avoiding the sick are all ways to keep your immune system healthy to fight any virus that comes your way.

It is advised to stay at home if you are sick. Most people that go to work with Influenza think they have a cold when in actuality; they have a mild case of the flu. While the flu is hardly affecting your ability to function, it still has the potential of infecting everyone around you and could make others very ill. Please contact the Phoenix Family Medical Clinic to schedule a visit, or walk-in, for your annual flu shot or if you have already contracted the flu and need medical care.

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