JANUARY 2022

DOCTOR is in
Protect Yourself Against the Flu
During fall and winter,
when you feel
yourself coming
down with a runny nose
and fever, you might wonder
if you are sick with the
flu. Understanding the flu,
how it spreads, and its key
symptoms will enable you
to recognize if you are sick
and reduce the risk of getting
sick.
The flu, short for influenza,
is a contagious respiratory
infection caused by the influenza
virus. There are two main types of
influenza virus: influenza A and influenza
B. Every year nearly 3 million
people in the U.S. suffer from
the flu. In the U.S., the flu season
mostly occurs in the fall and winter
and peaks between December and
February. The impact of the influenza
virus on your body varies from
mild illness to death. Those most
DR. JULIE KADO
SPECIAL TO THE
CHALDEAN NEWS
at risk for severe symptoms
are people over the
age of 65, newborns and
young children, pregnant
women, and people with
chronic medical conditions
like asthma, heart
disease, diabetes, as well as
the immunocompromised.
The virus is easily
spread from person to person
mainly through coughing,
sneezing or close
contact. After you’re exposed,
symptoms will appear about 1-4
days later. People are contagious
within 24 hours before the presentation
of symptoms and while
symptoms are still active. Most who
get sick will likely recover after 1-2
weeks. However, in some cases, the
flu can lead to more serious complications
like acute respiratory
failure, prolonged hospitalization,
or death.
Symptoms you should know:
• Fever and chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Muscle aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue
If you think you have the flu,
seek the advice of your primary care
physician. Most likely, they will
encourage you to rest, drink lots of
fluids, and let your body fight the infection
on its own. Tylenol and nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory medications
can help with symptoms like
fever and muscle aches. Oral antiviral
medications are available but
must be taken within 48 hours of
the presentation of symptoms in
order to be effective. The antiviral
medication will not cure the flu, but
it will shorten the length and severity
of the illness. Antibiotics are not
effective against viral infections, so
they are not prescribed for the flu.
If you want to avoid spreading
the flu and dealing with its detriments,
you should get your annual
influenza vaccine. An influenza
vaccine will help protect you from
new flu strains circulating that year
and lessen the severity of symptoms
if you do get sick. The best time to
get the vaccine is in the early fall so
that the full protective effects will
be available before peak flu season.
The CDC recommends that everyone
6 months or older should get
an influenza vaccine every year
to protect yourself and the people
around you. Other ways to protect
yourself and others from the flu include
avoiding close contact, staying
home when you are sick, covering
your mouth and nose, washing
your hands frequently, and avoiding
touching your eyes, nose, or
mouth.
38 CHALDEAN NEWS JANUARY 2022