All Around Pennsauken

Information provided by Pennsauken EMS

According to the CDC, the flu season typically begins in the winter months and peaks in January or February. Just like cold viruses, flu viruses enter your body through the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, or mouth. Every time you touch your hand to one of these areas, you could be infecting yourself with a virus. It is very important to keep your hands germ-free through frequent washing to help prevent both flu and cold symptoms.

Cold symptoms usually begin with a sore throat, which usually goes away after a day or two. Some other common symptoms are a runny nose, congestion, and cough. Children with a cold are more likely to have a fever than adults with a cold. A common cold rarely has symptoms of a fever above 101 degrees.

Flu symptoms are usually more severe than cold symptoms and come on quickly. If you experience a sudden onset of a fever, aches, chills or extreme tiredness, you may have the flu.

Symptoms of the flu are:

• Fever (considered elevated when 100 degrees or greater)
• Body aches
• Chills (not related to a cold environment)
• Tiredness (a feeling of exhaustion or a lack of energy) when associated with one or more of the above symptoms
• Headache (associated with the flu may appear suddenly and may be accompanied by body aches or nasal congestion)
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose (more common in children than in adults)
• Stomach symptoms (nausea, vomiting and diarrhea) are more common in children than in adults
• Chest discomfort, cough

How Can You Prevent The Flu?

Always disinfect any shared surfaces such as counters, keyboards, phones, and door handles. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you and use it often and get the flu vaccine.

Those who should get the flu vaccine are:

• All healthy adults, especially those who are 65 years of age and older
• Pregnant woman
• Health care workers
• Anyone who suffers from asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or weakened immune systems
• Caregivers of children under the age of 5

Those who should not get the flu vaccine are:

• Children under 6 months of age
• Anyone allergic to chicken eggs
• Anyone who has had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine in the past
• Anyone with a moderate or severe illness/fever

What Should You Do If You Have The Flu?

• Avoid contact with others
• Stay at home and rest until you are fully recovered
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue anytime you cough or sneeze
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer
• Drink plenty of water to prevent fluid loss

In some cases, you may need to seek medical attention right away.

In adults, these signs include:

• Severe chest pain
• Severe headache
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Persistent vomiting

In children, additional signs of an emergency are:

• Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Lethargy and failure to interact normally
• Extreme irritability or distress
• Symptoms that were improving and then suddenly worsen
• Fever with a rash

By keeping these tips in mind, Pennsauken residents can help themselves stay healthier during this year’s flu season.