Page 31 - AAA Every Day – AAA Hudson Valley – January/February 2020

Peak Cold and Flu Season: Here’s What You Need to Know
The new year can usher in new beginnings, but what should you do when it brings a nasty cold or, even worse, the flu?
It’s not too late to get your flu vaccine
The Center for Disease Control advises that the best way to prevent the flu this year is to get the flu vaccine. Flu season in the northern hemisphere officially kicks off in October, but flu activity peaks around February1. While it is best to get your flu shot early in the season, it is never too late to get your vaccine if the virus is still active.
Preventative steps to avoid getting sick
Both viruses that cause the flu and common colds travel from person to person, and you can become sick by touching a contaminated surface2. Try to avoid close contact with people you suspect are sick. People can be contagious before showing symptoms of a cold or the flu3, so keep doorknobs, countertops and refrigerator handles disinfected in your home, school and at work.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds, and when soap isn’t available, use
an alcohol-based hand rub. Viruses enter our bodies through the eyes, mouth and nose, so avoid touching these areas when your hands are not clean. If you become sick, cover your mouth with a tissue while coughing and sneezing, continue to wash your hands frequently and avoid contact with others, except when
receiving medical treatment.
Lastly, practice self-care and strengthen your immune
system by exercising regularly, drinking plenty of fluids, getting rest and minimizing stress to maintain a healthy immune system.
Treatment and returning to health
Take notice of your symptoms to determine if you have a cold or the flu. For a common cold, over-the-counter medications may help alleviate your symptoms. If you feel feverish, have body chills, muscle or body aches, or abnormal fatigue, you might have the flu.
If you think you might have the flu, visit your doctor or another health-care provider; antiviral drugs might be prescribed. Addressing your illness early is essential to shortening the life of the pesky cold or flu.
AAA members can use GoodRx to save up to 85% on prescription drugs — brand name and generic. It might even beat your insurance co-pay. GoodRx is accepted at more than 70,000 pharmacies nationwide.
GoodRx is not insurance. Visit AAA.com/GoodRx for full offer details and restrictions.
1 CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season.htm 2 CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/features/rhinoviruses/index.html
3 Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ common-cold/symptoms-causes/syc-20351605
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