Be Prepared for this Flu Season (i)
Autumn marks the start of the season of flu (or influenza) seasonal. This disease, like the common cold, affects all populations and ages. On average, each primary school student * 3 school days lost per year by not practicing good personal hygiene. Moreover, the likelihood of Latinos 65 and older get vaccinated against the flu is ** 10% less than in Caucasians not of the same age Latinas, according to 2005 data from the Office of Minority Health .
Is it flu or cold? Know the symptoms
It is easy to confuse the flu with a cold since both diseases have similar symptoms. In general, the cold has more nasal congestion, but the flu is more severe, symptoms are stronger and can turn into pneumonia, bacterial infections and even require hospitalization if not treated properly. Symptoms of flu include:
Fever (typically high), chills, fatigue or tiredness (sometimes to extremes), cough, nasal congestion, Runny nose, sore throat, headache, body or muscle pain, diarrhea and vomiting (more common in children)
How can you prevent the flu? Vaccines and personal hygiene
Your first line of defense is vaccinated, something must be done every year, preferably in October or November when the season starts. Talk with your doctor to determine which of the two types of vaccine is best for you:
Injection. Made with killed influenza virus, this vaccine is administered by injection in the arm and is approved for people older than 6 months, healthy and with chronic conditions
Nasal spray. Made with weakened virus, it is administered by nasal spray and is approved for healthy people between 2 and 49 years, except pregnant women.
