The flu shot is indicated for infants older than 6 months and all adults. Any healthy adult who wants to decrease their risk of contracting the flu should get the vaccine. The flu shot is particularly important for anyone who has chronic health problems such as asthma, COPD, diabetes, heart conditions or if you have a weakened immune system. Women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant should also get the flu vaccine.
The winter months in our region can certainly bring many challenges. As our days get shorter with less sunlight and our weather gets progressively colder, there is a natural tendency for us to become less active and more dormant. In an effort to remain healthy, it is important to try and maintain a nutritious diet. If you are able to keep to a regular exercise program, balanced diet and also get adequate sleep, you will have created the foundation for preventing wintertime illness. The key to success with exercise is to create a program that is both convenient and consistent. However, there are also some strategies to help reduce exposure to illness, both in the home and workplace. Frequent hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of illness. Keep an adequate supply of hand sanitizer available in backpacks, cars and briefcases, in addition to other common sites in your workplace and home. Don’t forget to adequately clean common surfaces such as doorknobs, computer keyboards and mice that are shared, along with refrigerator handles, the community coffee pot and other similar frequently touched community surfaces. In elevators, try using a glove, sleeve or a finger knuckle to depress buttons. Make sure to have your heating system checked for proper operation and change your air filters. When firing up either central or room-based humidifiers, make sure they have been cleaned from summer storage. This will avoid disseminating mold into the air that may have accumulated in the ultrasonic nebulizers inside these units.
While each flu season is highly unpredictable as to the time of onset or how severe it may be, the best recommendation is that you should get vaccinated against influenza as soon as possible, beginning in September. In some years the flu season can last all the way until late April or even early May. Influenza vaccine is recommended for all individuals aged 6 months and older. There is also a different vaccine recommended for individuals who are older than 65. For children under the age of six months who are not eligible for vaccination, it is best to discuss treatment options and prevention with your pediatrician. However, assuring that all members of the family and close relatives get vaccinated is a great first step in prevention. The flu vaccine is generally covered by most insurance plans although it’s always best to check with your specific plan to see what your coverage may be. The influenza vaccine is currently available from most primary care providers. We have an ample supply available at Lakes Urgent Care right now.
Antibiotics are not effective against any type of virus including Enterovirus D68. There is no vaccine for this virus. The best defense is good hygiene and supporting your immune system by eating a balanced diet and getting adequate sleep. If you become concerned that your child may have this severe respiratory illness, you should seek medical evaluation with your primary care physician or a certified urgent care. The staff at Lakes Urgent Care is capable of evaluating and initiating treatment for this virus as well as submitting the required testing to the state immunology lab if indicated.
Enterovirus D68 most commonly causes advanced respiratory symptoms such as persistent cough, wheezing and progressive shortness of breath. Initially, symptoms from this virus may emerge in a typical fashion with fever, rash, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. However, the most significant aspect of this virus is the advanced respiratory illness that it causes in children. It can also have a greater impact on children with underlying respiratory issues like asthma or if they are immunocompromised due to congenital heart disease or other chronic ailments that may impact their immune system.
As with any type of communicable disease, good hand washing is the most important thing you and your family can do to prevent contraction and spreading. The virus is capable of surviving on solid surfaces for several hours. Maintaining a regular cleaning program for community surfaces such as desks, doorknobs and other commonly handled items with a disinfecting solution or wipe, should be adequate to kill the virus on these surfaces. Keep hand sanitizer in many easy to reach places and use it!
This is a rare strain of a common virus, which for unknown reasons has become very active now. The virus is related to the common cold. It is not a new strain of virus and has caused significant respiratory illness specifically with children. There have been no reports of illness in adults related to the D68 Enterovirus.
Cold air causes bronchospasm or constriction of the bronchial tubes and places a higher work demand on the heart. For kids and adults with asthma, being prepared for that physiologic effect is key. Use an inhaler or give a breathing treatment with a nebulizer before going outdoors. Wearing a ski mask or scarf over the mouth and nose can help to warm the air to some extent. Limit time exposure in cold air to 20 or 30-minute periods. Take frequent breaks indoors to limit exposure. If your child begins to have difficulty breathing and does not respond to prescribed medication at home, seek medical attention at a certified urgent care center or emergency department.
As a general rule, it is safe to exercise outdoors in freezing temps as long as you pay attention to the signs and symptoms of specific cold-weather dangers. The three primary concerns are frostbite, hypothermia, and heart attack. Wind chill and time exposure are critical factors to consider when you are attempting to exercise outdoors. Learn the symptoms of impending trouble to avoid danger. Numbness or tingling of the hands, feet, ears, or nose signal early frostbite. Shivering, slurred speech, loss of coordination, and unusual fatigue signal hypothermia. Breathing cold air can trigger lung bronchospasm and coronary vasospasm in addition to placing an additional load on the heart. If you experience any chest pain, stop immediately and seek medical attention.