Tips For Staying Healthy During Flu Season

Saturday, March 1, 2008

(NAPSA)—Eachyear, as many as 20 percent of Americansget the flu. Because the flu is contagious, prevention is the best medicine, and a few simple steps can help keep families healthy this winter. CVS pharmacist Amy Arbogast offers the following tips to help avoid cold and flu and manage symptomsif they occur. Whatis the flu? Influenza, more commonly knownasthe flu, is a respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. Flu symptoms can include fever, headache, sore throat, dry cough, stuffy or runny nose and muscle ache. Whatis the first step in preventing cold and flu? A flu vaccination is the first line of defense, and flu shots are read- ily available in many communities. Whoshould get a flu shot? The Centers for Disease Control recommendsa yearly flu vaccination, especially for people ages 50 and older, those with chronic disease such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease, along with health care providers and women whoare pregnant. Are there any other ways to protect myself and my family against the flu? Along with the flu shot, avoiding the spread of germs is very important. Wash your handsfrequently, avoid contact with people affected with cold and flu and use a germ-killing disinfectant to clean surfaces. How do I know which med- ication to choose? When faced with cold or flu, medication should be selected carefully. Patients should first consult their physician or pharmacist to discuss their specific symptoms and review any existing health conditions and other medications they are currently taking. Avoid medicines that treat symptoms you're not experienc- Vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu—and in many states, flu shots can be administered by a pharmacist. ing. Analgesics relieve aches and pains and reduce fever. Antihistamines help dry a runny nose and watery eyes and prevent postnasal drip. Cough suppressants quiet a cough and are advised for dry coughs when you aren’t producing mucus. Decon- gestants reduce congestion in the nose and sinuses. Expectorants thin mucus so it can be coughed up more easily. Are there any medications I should avoid? If you take prescription medications, check with a pharmacist or physician to determine if there are any over-the-counter medications that should be avoided. Some medications may weaken or strengthen a prescription drug’s effectiveness or can cause dangerous interactions. WherecanI geta flu shot? MinuteClinic, the nation’s leading retail health clinic located in select CVS/pharmacy locations, provides vaccinations administered by nurse practitioners with no appointments necessary. Many CVS/pharmacystores will also host flu shot clinics this season. Contact your local health department, go to www.cvs.com or call (888) FLUSHOTto find a flu shot clinic near you.

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