Written by Dr. Lisa Golding Granado
Immediate Care Medical Walk-In of Hazlet
Getting Through a Pandemic Flu Season
Dr. Lisa Golding Granado of Immediate Care Medical Walk-In said, “The flu is a very contagious respiratory viral illness – and can cause infection ranging from mild body aches and cough to a more severe illness with pneumonia like symptoms including: Cough, body aches, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, fatigue and may also include nausea diarrhea or vomiting.”
Complications from the flu include dehydration, pneumonia, asthma flare up, shortness of breath and prolonged fatigue as well as wages lost due to prolonged illness.
Dr. Golding Granado, Medical Director at Immediate Care, said she is prepared to treat any flu complications patients may have, including intravenous fluid hydration and early medication management, early treatment are key to successful recovery from the flu.
The best prevention is vaccination! The vaccination period for the flu starts in late fall [October] and continues through spring [March] of the following year. The tri-valent or quadra-valent vaccines are equally recommended. It takes about two weeks to develop full immunity, and it’s not too late to get the vaccine this year.
Who should get the vaccine? Everyone 6-months of age and older, but especially people who are between 6-months and 5-years and those who are 65+ years or older. If you have a history of Asthma, COPD, recurrent pneumonia, heart disease or diabetes then you should get the vaccine every year as soon as possible. Caregivers, teachers, nannies, or those who work with the public or large groups, anyone who takes public transportation or works in the healthcare field should also be vaccinated.
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