Do You Really Have the Flu?
Winter
season has arrived, and with Christmas less than a few days away, many
people are falsely assuming that they've got the flu. Although you might
think you've got the flu from a few sneezing episodes, the odds are
that you're probably OK.
You
should, however, make it a top priority to drink plenty of fluids to
prevent dehydration. Before you start jumping to any false conclusions
about coming down with seasonal flu, it's important to understand the
main symptoms that are attributed to the seasonal flu:
Symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Nausea
*Please Visit Your Doctor...
- If you are aged 65 or over
- If you are pregnant
- If you have suffered from serious illnesses, (such as kidney diseases, heart diseases, lung diseases, neurological diseases, or diabetes)
- If you have a weakened immune system (such as HIV symptoms)
1) It's Inevitable; I'm Going to Catch the Flu -
If you take any form of public transportation to work in the morning,
there is a good chance you might be grabbing a rail that someone else
sneezed on! The touching of surfaces is known as fomite transmission
virus. The virus can be avoided by simply remembering not to touch your
face after you've touched any rail or surface. Always wash your hands
thoroughly after you've touched any surface area to prevent fomite
transmission.
2) I’ve Got the Flu -
Uh oh, better call in sick today, I've got the flu! Unless you are
suffering from fever, chills or body aches, you're most likely fine. The
chances are that you don't have the influenza virus, just a common cold
instead. The flu is caused by more severe viruses, and lasts far longer
than the typical cold. Make yourself a hot bowl of soup, drink lots of
water, drink some green tea, and enjoy a nice movie at home!
3) Vaccination Won't Help Me -
Did you get yourself vaccinated for the winter season? Vaccination
shots help prevent against the influenza virus. There are certain groups
of people that are more vulnerable to catching the flu, due to their
immune systems not being strong enough to combat the illness. The people
at most risk are pregnant women, the elderly, and small children. You
can head over to your family physician, or even your local pharmacy, to
get vaccinated. Make sure you get that flu shot today!
4) I Can Catch it By Eating Infected Chickens - Can
you really catch the flu from eating bad chicken? The H5N1 strain of
the virus had contaminated flocks of poultry a few years ago, but the
good news is that the bird flu virus has no serious adverse affects to
us humans. Just remember to wash your hands before and after you prepare
the chicken to avoid possible contamination.
5) I'll Catch it, No Big Deal -
Unless you have superhuman powers or an immune system that is
virus-proof, you're more than likely to catch a seasonal flu this
holiday season. Do yourself and your colleagues at the office a huge
favor, and just stay home if you are feeling sick. Airborne viruses
travel quickly, and they can infect scores of people around you. Once
again, make sure you get yourself fully vaccinated to minimize the risks
for the disease.