Stay Healthy During Flu Season

Feeling a little feverish? Body aches? Coughing? Watch out! Flu season is here, and the pesky virus is making the rounds in the Ark-la-tex.  Luckily, there are several easy-to-follow tips that will help you stay healthy and flu-free this spring.

First tip? Get your flu vaccination.

“If you haven’t already gotten your vaccine, it isn’t too late,” said Courtney Shoalmire, Texarkana College’s Dean of Health Sciences. “Flu season typically runs through March or April, so there is still time for you to be vaccinated. Although the vaccine doesn’t protect you from every type of flu, it will definitely lessen the effects of the virus if you do contract the flu.”

Shoalmire said that the vaccine will not cause you to contract the flu.

“The vaccine is made from viruses that have been inactivated, so you may have some minor side effects from the vaccine, but you will not get the flu from the vaccine,” she said.

People with pre-existing conditions affecting their overall health including such diseases as asthma, chronic lung disease, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, neurological disorders, and/or congestive heart failure, are considered high risk for complications associated with the flu.  Also, children less than 5 years of age or adults older than 65 years, pregnant women, and residents of long term care facilities and rehabilitation centers should take extra caution during flu season to stay healthy and avoid contact with sick people. This year, the dominant strain of flu virus is H3N2 and it has already claimed the lives of at least 30 children in the U.S.

Shoalmire said everyone plays a part in keeping the flu virus under control at work and at home.

“One thing people do without even noticing is touch their mouth, eyes, and nose after being in public places. If you have the virus on your hands and touch these areas, the virus can enter your body causing you to have to flu,” Shoalmire said. “Also, keep the surfaces of your home, office, car, etc. clean by using an antibacterial cleanser. I like to keep a small package of these in my car and wipe down my steering wheel and gear shift when I get home from work.”

The most common flu symptoms are fever, body aches, cough, extreme tiredness, chills, headache, sore throat, and a stuffy nose.  If you have these symptoms, seek medical evaluation early. If you test positive for the flu, the provider may prescribe an antiviral drug that can shorten the length of the illness. These medications work best started close to the time symptoms began.

“If you are sick, stay home!” Shoalmire said. “Try to avoid contact with others so the infection doesn’t spread. When you have been without fever (without taking medication for it) for 24 hours, you can consider increasing contact with others.”

Shoalmire oversees the instruction of more than 270 students enrolled in health sciences programs at Texarkana College, including Associate Degree Nursing, Emergency Medical Technology- EMT/Paramedic, Pharmacy Technician, and Vocational Nursing. This flu season, TC’s nursing students have done their part to help prevent the spread of the flu in our community.

“Our nursing students have worked with local school districts, Red River Army Depot, and the Spirit of St. Michael to offer flu shots,” Shoalmire said. “You must be properly trained to administer the flu vaccine.”

 Applications are now being accepted for the Fall 2018 Associate Degree Nursing and Vocational Nursing classes. Learn more about health sciences programs at Texarkana College.