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Affordacare Flu Information

Your head, and every muscle in your body, aches. You’re cold one moment and hot the next. Your throat is scratchy and you start coughing, come in and get tested. Don’t wait!

We always hear that good habits are important to have a “healthy life”, but what are the benefits of choosing a healthier lifestyle? There are numerous benefits that provide you with an overall sense of well-being as well as the knowledge you’re doing your best to live well. Benefits of a healthy life: Improved Mood

The flu virus has seen minimal evolution over the years. Therefore, if you do get the flu, the symptoms will be mild. Antibodies that were generated with previous flu sickness gives you partial protection. But about once every 10 years, the flu virus undergoes a radical change and many people become seriously ill. These large-scale outbreaks of the disease are called epidemics. If they spread globally, they are called pandemics such as Covid-19.

The most effective means of preventing the disease is flu vaccination. Get vaccinated if you belong to a risk group.

To prevent contagion, also follow these tips:

  1. When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, and then throw it in the garbage can. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the top of your sleeve.
  2. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 10-20 seconds and dry properly or with specialized alcoholic solutions (especially after touching common surfaces, such as railings, doorknobs, keyboards and computer mice, telephones, items to hold onto public transportation and after sneezing and blowing your nose).
  3. Ventilate closed spaces frequently by opening windows.
  4. Limit contact with people with viral symptoms or diagnosed with respiratory infections, including the flu.
  5. Do not share food or utensils (cutlery, glasses, napkins, tissues) or other objects without first cleaning them properly.

The flu infection spreads very quickly in areas with a high concentration of people or in crowds. Shaking hands or a simple sneeze can trigger contagion. This occurs when an infected person coughs or sneezes, the infectious droplets that contain the virus are expelled and spread through the air until they reach other close people who inhale them. Likewise, the virus can also be contracted from hands contaminated by influenza viruses.

If you have the flu, the best way to take care of yourself is to rest and drink plenty of fluids, such as water or other beverages that do not contain caffeine. Stay home until you feel fine and your temperature is normal again. There is current treatment for the flu if diagnosis is performed early in the course. Antivirals can shorten the course of the flu but currently there is no cure for viruses. Flu vaccines are highly recommended as they provide some protection against the Influenza virus. 

Most people who get the flu recover on their own after the virus runs its course. But call your doctor if you have the flu and the following happens:

  • your health worsens
  • you have trouble breathing or other complications such as dehydration
  • have a medical condition that is becoming uncontrolled  (such as diabetes, heart problems, asthma, and other lung problems)

Most people can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help reduce fever and pain. Avoid consuming aspirin or any other product that contains aspirin.

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