How to Avoid the Flu This Winter

Dr. Susan Reem and weather forecaster Marisol Castro with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases spoke with Tom Collins and Laura Mac on Lubbock's First News Tuesday morning.

Castro and Reem talked about how to battle the flu during Flu season and discussed the on-going NFID campaign called "Why Weather the Flu?"

"Flu comes every year. Unlike the weather, there is some predictability to it, but we don't need to take the flu lying down," said Dr. Reem. "There are things we can do to prevent and treat the flu and washing your hands is one of the things, but really the more effective thing is to get the flu vaccine every year. Everybody six-months of age and older needs to get vaccinated every year against the flu."

Reem said that people cannot get the flu from the vaccine. She also noted that the vaccine is not 100 percent effective and those who get it could still catch the flu.

There are specific symptoms that can delineate between the flu and having a cold, Reem explained. She suggested remembering the acronym FACTS: Fever, Aches, Chills, Tiredness and Sudden Onset.

While there is no direct correlation between influenza and cold weather, Castro indicated that people in tropical regions where the temperature does not dip into the 50s can still get the flu. Currently, 48 states have confirmed cases of the flu.

Reem said that if an individual is symptomatic and feels they have the flu, they should contact a health care professional within the first 48 hours so treatment can begin and be effective.

Between two and 20 percent of Americans get the flu every year, and some 200,000 people are hospitalized every year with it.

Filed Under: flu