Seasonal flu outlook

GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) – Flu season is here and doctors want to make sure you’re up to date on the latest vaccines.

As part of our “Ask the Expert” series, in partnership with Bon Secours St. Francis , 7NEWS spoke with a nurse about how you can decrease your chances of getting sick.

As the leaves begin to change during the fall and winter months, doctors said their attention turns to flu season.

“Most activity begins in October all the way through the end of May, and with a peak between the months of December and February,” said Irene Pena, Wellness Outreach Program Bon Secours.

Pena is the lead clinical nurse at the Bon Secours Wellness Outreach program. She said some of the more common symptoms of influenza include fever, chills, body aches, sore throat and headaches.

But before you’re forced to take a sick day, health experts are offering several recommendations to help dodge the illness.

“So in order to prepare for the flu season, the number one recommendation by CDC is that people receive the annual flu vaccine,” said Pena.

For those who are six months and older, the CDC said receiving the latest immunization is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of contracting influenza.

“This year, the flu vaccines that will be used in the United States will be the trivalent vaccine,” said Pena. “That means that all of these vaccines will protect people against three types of flu virus, that is two types of A and one type B.”

More than 44,000 people died from flu complications last season, according to the CDC.

Other than the vaccine, doctors said you can prevent the spread of germs by avoiding people who are sick, covering your cough, and washing your hands.

Health experts recommend also cleaning frequently touched surfaces and practicing good health habits, such as getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of fluids, staying active and eating a balanced diet.

While contracting the flu is, at times, unavoidable, doctors said to pay close attention to your symptoms.

“You definitely should seek medical attention if you experience any of the flu symptoms, but they’re unusually severe, particularly if you experience difficulty breathing, feeling faint, severe, sore throat,” said Pena.

Health experts recommend seeing a doctor if your symptoms worsen or if you’re considered to be at ‘high risk’ including women who are in their second or third trimesters of pregnancy, people who are over the age of 65, or those with other chronic medical conditions.

Medical professionals recommend waiting at least 24 hours after your fever is gone before returning to school or work.

To submit a health topic for our ‘Ask the Expert’ series, click here .

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