Get vaccinated, check with your doctor if you feel ill
With cases of seasonal flu on the rise across the country, Scripps Health is reminding Uptown residents of some basic tips for keeping influenza at bay and dealing with the illness if it strikes.
“The early onset of the flu season this year might have caught some people off guard, but there is still time to get a flu shot,” said Dr. Anil Keswani, an internal medicine physician and Scripps Health corporate vice president of ambulatory care and population health management. “Vaccination, frequent hand washing and taking extra precautions around those who are ill are the best defenses against infection.”
People who are 65 and older, children under 2, pregnant women and those with certain medical conditions (including asthma, heart disease, neurological conditions, blood disorders, a weakened immune system or are morbidly obese) face a higher risk of developing flu-related complications.
“If you feel ill, I’d encourage you to check with your physician,” Dr. Keswani said. Scripps patients can call 800-SCRIPPS (800-727-4777) to make an appointment.
Flu season tips
*Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for enough antibodies to build up in the body to protect against infection.
*Wash your hands often with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Avoid contact with sick people.
*Watch out for flu symptoms, which can include a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue.
*If you become sick, stay home from work and school to avoid infecting others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends staying home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone without using fever-reducing medicine.
*Cover your coughs and sneezes.
*Check with your doctor to see if you should be treated with an antiviral drug.
*Avoid the emergency room unless you are suffering from more serious flu symptoms, which include trouble breathing or shortness of breath; chest or abdomen pain or pressure; sudden dizziness; confusion; severe or persistent vomiting; flu symptoms that improve but then return with fever and a worse cough.
*For children, seek emergency medical help if they are breathing fast or are having trouble breathing; have bluish skin color; aren’t drinking enough fluids, aren’t waking up or interacting; are so irritable they don’t want to be held; have a fever with a rash; aren’t able to eat; don’t shed tears when crying; have significantly fewer wet diapers than normal; flu symptoms improve but then return with fever and a worse cough.
—Founded in 1924 by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, Scripps Health is a $2.6 billion nonprofit integrated health system based in San Diego, Calif. Scripps treats a half-million patients annually through the dedication of 2,600 affiliated physicians and 13,500 employees among its five acute-care hospital campuses, home health care services, and an ambulatory care network of physician offices and 23 outpatient centers and clinics. More information can be found at scripps.org.
