Flu Season in the Midst of COVID-19
The most important way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine every year. With the COVID-19 pandemic, getting a flu shot is important to protect you, your family, and the community. It will also help reduce strain on healthcare facilities that are responding to COVID-19.
You can get COVID-19 and the flu at the same time, so please protect yourself and others by getting vaccinated for both illnesses.
Flu Prevention
The flu vaccine is offered as a shot or as a nasal spray. You should get your yearly flu vaccine beginning in September, but it’s not too late if you’ve missed it. The timing of flu season is generally from October to May. It takes about 2 weeks after you get the vaccine for your body to form antibodies to protect you.
Stay Healthy
Here are tips to help you stay healthy from Dionisio Dabu MD, a PIH Health family medicine physician in our Downey Promenade office:
- Wash your hands often with soap and clean, running water for 20 seconds. Keep an alcohol-based hand sanitizer on your desk or with you at all times. After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose, wash your hands or rub sanitizer into them until they are dry. Clean your hands after using public transportation or conference room equipment.
- When soap and water aren’t available, use alcohol-based throwaway hand wipes or gel sanitizers. Rub it into your hands and between your fingers until they are dry, which takes about 20 seconds.
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with your hands.
- Keep surfaces clean. At work, use a household disinfectant to wipe down your desk, keyboard, mouse, telephone, and other objects you touch often. Follow the directions on the label.
- Don’t share eating or drinking utensils.
- Get the flu vaccine as soon as it is available in your area. Speak to you doctor first if you’ve had a severe reaction to flu vaccinations in the past.
- Get the COVID-19 vaccine and any booster shots that are approved and recommended.
- Stay informed about COVID-19 in your area. Follow local instructions about being in public.
Protect Others
Some ways to protect those around you include:
- If you are sick, stay home and don't go to work or school.
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue into the trash. If you don't have tissues, cough or sneeze into the bend of your elbow.
- Stay at home if you feel sick with flu-like symptoms like a fever or chills and a cough or sore throat. Other symptoms include runny nose, headache, fatigue, diarrhea, and vomiting. Contact your healthcare provider to find out whether you should be tested or treated for the flu.
- If you have a family member who has the flu but you feel well, it's safe to go to work. Check your health daily and stay home if you start to feel sick.
Visit Dr. Dabu’s physician profile to learn more about him, or call 562.862.2775 to make an appointment.
© 2000-2021 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
