How to Stay Healthy and Avoid the Flu

While there have been talks about getting a flu vaccination, it's important to know how flu is spread, how to stay healthy, and how to avoid the flu in the first place. In this article, Beijing United Family's (BJU's) Family Medicine chief physician, Dr. Roo Changizi, tells us what to do in this flu season. 

What should I know about the flu? 

Influenza, commonly known as flu, typically starts with a headache, chills, and coughing, followed by fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches, fatigue, a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and throat irritation. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur, especially in children. 

The flu may spread from person to person even before people have symptoms. It is also contagious while people have flu symptoms. Most people recover from the flu, but some people are at higher risk of developing flu-related complications. These include:

• Children younger than five, especially children younger than two years old;
• Adults 65 years of age or older;
  
• Pregnant women; 
• People who have chronic medical conditions;
  
• People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy; 
  
• People who are morbidly obese (body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater).

Period of contagiousness 

You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others for an even longer time.

Every winter, BJU offers a seasonal flu vaccine. Vaccination helps prevent flu viruses that are circulating that season. About two weeks after receiving the flu vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infection. Flu vaccines will not protect against flu-like illnesses caused by non-influenza viruses.

Why do we need a flu vaccine every year? 

It is because the vaccine mutates every year. It requires a new vaccine to ensure proper immunity to the flu virus that is in circulation. The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but sometimes the flu spreads in the summer, as it has done in Hong Kong, and we may not have a vaccine available. 

In these cases, good health habits like covering your mouth when you cough and washing your hands can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent the flu.

Other preventative measures include:

1. Avoiding close contact 

If someone in your daily life is sick, try not to get too close to them until they're better. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.

2. Staying home when you are sick 

Take time off from work, school, and doing errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

3. Covering your mouth and nose 

Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

4. Cleaning your hands 

Washing your hands willhelp protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use analcohol-based hand rub.

5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth 

Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

6. Practising other good health habits 

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work, or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

Dr. Roo is the Chair of the Center for Family Medicine and Integrative Healthcare, and a Family Medicine Chief Physician at BJU. If you feel sick and wish to see Dr. Roo or any other BJU doctor, our United Family Healthcare team is available for you. Call our service center at 4008-919191 to make an appointment.