Show Cold And Flu Season Who's Boss
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As the weather becomes colder and we stay indoors more, people often catch colds or other viruses. The cold and flu season can begin as early as October and usually ends sometime in April. While there is no way to cure the common cold or the flu, healthy habits during cold and flu season can help you avoid getting sick.
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Germs Are Not For Sharing
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The most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands. A common way to catch a cold or the flu is by rubbing your nose or eyes, so to protect against infection wash your hands frequently. Your hands pick up germs from other people or from contaminated surfaces and hand washing prevents you from infecting yourself with the germs. Use warm water, soap and wash for several minutes for best results. The number one thing you can do to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot.
Other good health practices are not sharing cups, or silverware and cleaning high-contact items, such as doorknobs, faucets and telephones, with soap and water.
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Get The Shot, Not The Flu
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Up to 200,000 people are hospitalized each year from the flu, and about 36,000 people die from flu-related problems annually. And although children, pregnant women, and the elderly are at especially high risk for the flu, even healthy children and adults can get very sick and spread the flu to family and friends.
Vaccination is the single best way to protect against influenza. As flu viruses are notoriously highly contagious, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the flu vaccine as the first and most important step in preventing the spread of the flu each year
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Flu shots are also a great way to prevent the flu. Recent medical guidelines recommend that everyone over the age of 6 months receive the vaccine annually. It's not too late to get your flu shot if you haven't already; the peak flu season is in January and February. Talk to your primary care physician about getting a flu shot.
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Even when your hands are clean, staying healthy means more than simply avoiding germs. Healthy bodies have an easier time fighting off infection. To stay healthy and boost your immune system:
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- Get plenty of rest
- Eat a well-balanced diet
- Exercise regularly
- Decrease stress
- Cut back on unhealthy habits, such as smoking and over consuming alcohol
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For most of us, getting sick is a part of life. If you do catch a cold or the flu, the following advice still holds true.
To feel better while you are sick:
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- Drink lots of fluids and get plenty of rest
- Use a humidifier - to moisten mucus membranes
- Add immune-boosting foods to your shopping list this flu season
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Give Us A Call!
There is no sure way to keep yourself or your child from getting a cold or the flu. But taking steps to avoid getting sick - and taking the right steps when you do - can help. If you are feeling truly awful, your symptoms worsen or last a long time, it is always wise to contact your primary care physician.
Take the right step forward for your health and visit
Orange Regional Medical Group's Primary Care office to get your flu shot!
Same day appointments and walk-ins welcome.
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This message brought to you in partnership with Orange Regional Medical Center.
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A member of the Greater Hudson Valley Health System
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