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Dannenhoffer
This holiday season is offering a couple gifts nobody wants: the H1N1 flu and the seasonal flu. While the most recent numbers from the Oregon Department of Human Services suggest that incidence of H1N1 has experienced a decline in the past couple weeks, we are by no means in the clear.
As Dr. Mel Kohn, director of the Oregon Public Health Division points out, “December is the month that seasonal flu usually arrives. We want people to get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible, and it's certainly not too late to get an H1N1 vaccine.” Even if the H1N1 flu turns out to be more bark than bite, the seasonal flu can take the joy out of an otherwise perfect holiday.
During the month of December, most of us spend an unusually large amount of time in close quarters with other people. Whether we're shopping in malls, attending holiday parties, traveling on airplanes or celebrating with our families, our bodies come into contact with a sea of germs. So what can you do to decrease your chances of contracting the H1N1 or seasonal flu?
Since supply of the H1N1 flu and seasonal flu vaccines has been limited, DHS has designated several high-risk groups whom they recommend should get vaccinated. These groups are comprised of pregnant women, children 5 and younger, and individuals between 5 and 64 with health conditions such as asthma, diabetes and cardio-pulmonary disease. If you are in one of these groups, the vaccine can be your best ally in fighting the flu this holiday season.
However, some of the most effective methods for preventing the spread of the H1N1 flu and seasonal flu are quite simple. These commonsense measures can help protect you and the people around you. First, and probably the most important, is to stay home if you are feeling sick. When you go to work or fly on an airplane when you are ill, you put everyone around you at risk. Additionally, even if you don't think you have the flu, make a habit of using the inside of your elbow to cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. This keeps germs off of your hands and reduces the risk of exposing people around you.
Other great tips include frequently washing your hands, using hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes on armrests and other places with which your skin comes into contact. Finally, while your first layer of defense is to limit your exposure to germs, you can also use a healthy immune system to fight off germs you do encounter. You can bolster your system this winter by exercising frequently and eating a healthy diet.
If you do begin to run a fever at any time in the coming months, you may be confused about whether you have the flu or a common cold and whether you should go to the doctor. Luckily, the state set up the Oregon Public Health Flu Hotline so you can have your basic questions answered to help determine whether you should see a doctor. Call 1-800-978-3040 to speak to a nurse about your symptoms or about any other flu concerns you may have.
It is usually wise advice to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. If we all take these preventive measures to heart, then the majority of us will spend our holidays the way they were meant to be spent: happy, healthy and with our loved ones.
Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer is a board-certified Roseburg pediatrician and a member of DCIPA, The Physicians of Douglas County. If there's a health care topic you would like to see covered, please contact Dan Hern at dhern@dcipa.com or 541-464-4610.
As Dr. Mel Kohn, director of the Oregon Public Health Division points out, “December is the month that seasonal flu usually arrives. We want people to get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible, and it's certainly not too late to get an H1N1 vaccine.” Even if the H1N1 flu turns out to be more bark than bite, the seasonal flu can take the joy out of an otherwise perfect holiday.
During the month of December, most of us spend an unusually large amount of time in close quarters with other people. Whether we're shopping in malls, attending holiday parties, traveling on airplanes or celebrating with our families, our bodies come into contact with a sea of germs. So what can you do to decrease your chances of contracting the H1N1 or seasonal flu?
Since supply of the H1N1 flu and seasonal flu vaccines has been limited, DHS has designated several high-risk groups whom they recommend should get vaccinated. These groups are comprised of pregnant women, children 5 and younger, and individuals between 5 and 64 with health conditions such as asthma, diabetes and cardio-pulmonary disease. If you are in one of these groups, the vaccine can be your best ally in fighting the flu this holiday season.
However, some of the most effective methods for preventing the spread of the H1N1 flu and seasonal flu are quite simple. These commonsense measures can help protect you and the people around you. First, and probably the most important, is to stay home if you are feeling sick. When you go to work or fly on an airplane when you are ill, you put everyone around you at risk. Additionally, even if you don't think you have the flu, make a habit of using the inside of your elbow to cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. This keeps germs off of your hands and reduces the risk of exposing people around you.
Other great tips include frequently washing your hands, using hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes on armrests and other places with which your skin comes into contact. Finally, while your first layer of defense is to limit your exposure to germs, you can also use a healthy immune system to fight off germs you do encounter. You can bolster your system this winter by exercising frequently and eating a healthy diet.
If you do begin to run a fever at any time in the coming months, you may be confused about whether you have the flu or a common cold and whether you should go to the doctor. Luckily, the state set up the Oregon Public Health Flu Hotline so you can have your basic questions answered to help determine whether you should see a doctor. Call 1-800-978-3040 to speak to a nurse about your symptoms or about any other flu concerns you may have.
It is usually wise advice to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. If we all take these preventive measures to heart, then the majority of us will spend our holidays the way they were meant to be spent: happy, healthy and with our loved ones.
Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer is a board-certified Roseburg pediatrician and a member of DCIPA, The Physicians of Douglas County. If there's a health care topic you would like to see covered, please contact Dan Hern at dhern@dcipa.com or 541-464-4610.
