Flu shots, proper hygiene keys to staying healthy each winter
The Christmas season has given way to flu season when outbreaks make the rounds of offices and classrooms.
“I believe there have been some sporadic cases, but it hasn't really become rampant,” said Dr. John Love, a member of the infectious disease group at Butler Memorial Hospital, of local outbreaks. “We are nowhere near the peak of season.”
“We've seen some admissions from people coming into the emergency room,” said Love.
Butler hospital emergency room doctor David Rottinghaus agreed.
“Yes, we've had some cases, but we haven't seen the high point of the season yet,” said Rottinghaus.
The symptoms of this year's flu are fever, respiratory symptoms, muscle aches, and in some cases, a sore throat, the doctors said.
“And it's really just abrupt,” Love noted. “You can go to bed fine and wake up feeling like you've been hit by a truck.”
For most, a bout of the flu can be painful and inconvenient, but for some it can be lethal, warned Rottinghaus.
“It's dangerous to the very young and older people and those with multiple medical problems,” he said.
He added, “We really want people, if they feel their symptoms are severe enough, to come for an evaluation.”
Rottinghaus said, “We tell people if they feel worse or sick beyond the normal type of flu, we'd be happy to see anybody at any time.”
While the incubation period from being exposed to the virus to full-blown sickness is a mere four days, the recovery period can last from a week to several weeks, Love said.
Hand sanitizers and wipes can guard against flu viruses, but no more than soap and water.
“We really push good hand hygiene and cough etiquette,” said Love. “During the swine flu outbreak in 2009, little children were trained to cough and sneeze into their elbows to disrupt the misting process.”A flu shot's protection should last until late spring, but it's only effective against this year's crop of influenza viruses.Rottinghaus said that's because the influenza viruses are constantly mutating rendering last year's shots ineffective.“It's global. We're about six months behind the epidemics on the other side of the world,” said Rottinghaus.Love said flu shot makers “try to predict months ahead of time what will be coming through Butler County. “Sometimes they get it right, sometimes not. But there's very little risk and very little harm in getting a flu shot.“Even if it's 50 percent effective, it's a win,” said Love. “Don't let the perfect become the enemy of the good.”
