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SEASONAL HEALTH
MORE SICKNESS, MORE SERIOUS
The flu will typically make you feel
sicker. It’s also more likely to cause other
problems that could require a trip to the
hospital.
“For the very old, the very young and
people who have a chronic illness, the flu
can be dangerous,” Dr. Longaker says. “The
flu can cause other infections in the body
and make conditions that were already
there worse.”
People younger than age 5, older than 65
or pregnant are considered high-risk. Other
conditions that make flu complications
likely include:
»» Asthma
»» Chronic lung problems, such as chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease
»» Diabetes
»» Epilepsy and other brain disorders
»» Heart disease
»» Kidney and liver problems
»» Weakened immune systems due to
medication or disease
STOP IT BEFORE YOU SEE IT
The flu can keep you out of work, school
and daily life for a week. Fortunately,
preventing the flu can be simple.
The quickest, best step you can take to
avoid the flu is to get a flu shot. The vaccine
is recommended in nasal spray form for
some patients and as an injection for most
people 6 months and older.
You can help protect yourself from
the flu, a cold or other winter viruses by
practicing good hand hygiene.
“Washing hands regularly is the most
effective way to prevent the spread of
germs,” Dr. Longaker says. “Hands should
be washed before eating and after using
the restroom.”
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A
FLU SHOT WITH YOUR PRIMARY CARE
PROVIDER (PCP). TO FIND A PCP,
VISIT WWW.NAVICENTHEALTH.ORG,
SELECT “THE MEDICAL CENTER
NAVICENT HEALTH PHYSICIANS” AND
CHOOSE “FAMILY MEDICINE” FROM
THE SPECIALTIES.
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FEELING BETTER FASTER
If you think you have the flu, you should visit your primary care provider (PCP). Prescription
medications are available to combat the flu.
WHAT TO TAKE AND WHEN
“Antiviral medicines reduce the intensity and duration of the flu,” says Bernard Meyer
Von Bremen, PharmD, Director of Pharmacy, Navicent Health. “You will be sick for about
half as long as you would be without them. For someone who is high-risk, this can be
critical to staying out of the hospital.”
People who receive antiviral medicines from their PCP need to start taking them
immediately. These medicines usually only help if taken during the first days of sickness.
Over-the-counter medicines can provide relief for a wide range of problems associated
with cold and flu. The fevers and body aches of the flu can be managed well at home with
cold medicine formulas, according to Dr. Meyer Von Bremen. Check the instructions on the
packaging for proper dosage. For stuffy noses, Dr. Meyer Von Bremen recommends using
a medicated nasal spray.
WHERE TO GO FOR HELP
For a stubborn cold or flu, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your PCP and ask
for medication. If you want to see a physician sooner, urgent care can meet your needs.
Determine where to find medical help by rating your illness on a scale of one to three:
»» Level one problems are the cold and flu symptoms you see all the time: ongoing
sneezing, coughing, low-grade fevers and general discomfort.
»» Level two includes all the problems from level one, but they’ve reached the point where
you feel so bad you need help right away.
»» Level three problems include high, long-lasting fevers that don’t go away with medicine,
difficulty breathing, blue lips and stabbing chest pain accompanying coughs.
If your illness places you in level one, you should schedule an appointment with your
PCP or, if you don’t have a PCP, visit urgent care. Level two issues require immediate
attention, and urgent care is often the best setting. Any level three issue requires
emergency services.
Before starting any medication, talk with your PCP or pharmacist about your
medications to make sure they are safe for you.
GETTING SICK, STAYING HOME?
The cold and flu can spread to classmates or coworkers
with a sneeze, handshake, cough or hug. Besides
washing your hands regularly, one of the wisest steps
you can take when you’re sick is stay home to rest.
5HOLIDAY 2015 | navicenthealth.org
9/28/15 3:36 PM