Lee Health urges public to get flu shot in preparation for season
With the arrival of the 2018-2019 flu season, Lee Health infection prevention experts encourage the community to get their annual flu vaccination.
Flu shots are the most effective way to combat the flu each year.
“Vaccination can be the difference between a serious medical episode and a safe and worry-free winter,” Dr. Ashraf Khan, Lee Health’s system director for epidemiology, said. “Everyone who is able should receive a flu vaccination each year, early in the season, to keep you, your loved ones and your neighbors safe and healthy.”
Influenza – the flu – is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness and can be fatal in some cases.
Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear and sinus infections, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes, Khan said. In addition, most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick.
Children younger than 5, adults older than 65, pregnant women and people living with chronic medical conditions are at a higher risk for flu-related complications.
The vaccine is available in physician offices, urgent care clinics and at many drug stores and pharmacies. Talk to your health care provider if you have specific questions about the flu shot.
Another highly effective way to keep the flu at bay is to wash your hands often, according to Khan.
When washing hands with soap and water (bold format, not subhead)
– Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap.
– Create a lather and scrub your hands.
– Wash your hands for 15-20 seconds. This is as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song through twice.
– Rinse your hands well under running water.
– Dry your hands using a paper towel and use the paper towel to turn off the faucet.
– If soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean your hands.
When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (bold format, not subhead)
– Apply the product to the palm of one hand.
– Rub your hands together.
– Rub the hand sanitizer over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers, and continue rubbing until your hands are dry.