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Flu Season Survival Guide

By Jennifer Green November 19, 2015

I love fall. I love the cooler weather, the brilliant colors of the changing leaves, and Halloween. But fall has a Dark Side.

Fall is also the gateway to flu season. And stomach virus season. And cold season.

There are two good reasons why this time of year brings with it an uptick in illness. We tend to stay indoors more when the temperature drops, so closer contact with others (read: infected people) means more opportunities for us to contract a cold or a virus.

And the flu virus is a big fan of colder temperatures and lower humidity, which is another reason why I’m going to spend this winter walking around in a biohazard suit. Apparently, the flu virus is very stable at these lower temps so the higher the temperature, the less likely it is to be transmitted (in fact, the virus’s optimal temperature is 41 degrees). And with lower humidity in the winter, droplets from our coughs and sneezes just hang out in the air, waiting for others to pass by and inhale. In the summer when the humidity is higher, these droplets can’t stay suspended in the air that long because of the increased amount of water in the air. They get too heavy and just fall to the ground before an unsuspecting victim walks by. Doesn’t this fact make you appreciate humidity in a way you never thought possible?

So while we can’t hide from these tiny ninjas of misery, we thought we’d compile some tips to help you and your family stay as healthy as possible this season. And if you or your little ones succumb to the treacheries of illness, we’ve included some things you can do to hopefully get back on the road of health as quickly as possible.

 

  • Get a flu shot. The CDC recommends most everyone 6 months of age and older should get the shot. Visit their page for a rundown of the shot vs. the nasal spray vaccine, and special conditions that may warrant a chat with your doctor before getting the vaccine.
  • Want to know how much flu activity is occurring in Pennsylvania? Check out the CDC’s flu activity map
  • Wash your hands. I know you’re tired of hearing this, but it needs to be repeated. Washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds is STILL the best way to prevent the spread of illness. The physical act of scrubbing your hands and under your nails will remove germs better than anything else. If you don’t have access to soap and water, hand sanitizer should be your next choice. Hand sanitizer should NEVER replace hand washing if soap and water is available. To encourage your children to comply, tell them 20 seconds is long enough to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. You might be sick of the song by the time spring rolls around, but with any luck, that’s the only thing that will make you sick this year.
  • Cover your mouth. Another one you’re tired of hearing but this one is critical, just like hand washing. Remember when I said the flu virus just likes to hang out in the cold air? Well, covering your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze is the single best way to reduce the amount of infected water droplets that leave your body. But if you cough/sneeze into your shirtsleeve, just remember to wash that shirt. Often.
  • Clean more often. I know, I know. Ugh. More housework. But flu season is not a good time to drop the ball on this (sorry!). Common surfaces like doorknobs, toilet handles, the TV remote and light switches are teeming with germs. Sanitize these surfaces often, and wash any toys that your kids put in their mouths.
  • Stock up early on sick room supplies. Oh boy is this one important. The LAST thing you want to do is run to the drug store when you or your kid is sick. Make sure you have enough Tylenol/Advil for fevers, cough suppressants, tissues, ginger ale, Pedialyte, and sore throat aids on hand before illness strikes.
  • Have a contingency plan in place for how you will deal with your dog should the entire family go down with a stomach bug. I have seen it happen where everyone in the house is too sick to even take the dog outside. Be sure you have someone you can call who is brave enough to come to your house to help with pet duties if you and everyone else is bed- or- bathroom- ridden.
  • Invest in a humidifier. Since the flu virus just loves low humidity conditions, amp up the moisture in your house. This will also help relieve the congestion in your nose, throat and head that dry winter air tends to cause.
  • Maintain good health practices. Getting enough sleep and exercise, reducing stress, and eating a healthy diet pays off during flu season. If you keep your immune system functioning at peak, you’re a lot less likely to get sick.  
  • Monitor your little ones for signs of dehydration. Kids become dehydrated a lot faster than adults once the vomiting and diarrhea sets in, so make sure they sip- not guzzle- liquids periodically. Signs of dehydration can include dizziness and lightheadedness, passing out, increased irritability, weakness, no tears when they cry, dry and/or sticky mucous membranes, sunken eyes, and in babies, a soft spot on the top of the head that appears sunken. Those awful symptoms of a stomach virus tend to resolve after 24 hours, but if they linger for more than two days, call your doctor. (True story- I passed out on the toilet because of dehydration from a stomach bug. And this happened when I was an adult, so all I can say is I’m glad no one heard me hit the very hard tile floor. It left me with a decent black eye and a severe case of embarrassment. Dehydration is serious!)