flu Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Elite Care Family Medicine

Have you had your flu shot yet? The flu season is in full swing, and while this season has been well below epidemic levels Mississippi has still been one of the states hardest hit this year. According to the CDC, Mississippi had an influenza-like illness rate of 6.1% well above the national average of 2.3%. The nation has experienced a mild flu season overall as of the week ending December 2, 2017. However, the disease has caused hospitalizations and casualties this...

For some, catching the flu means missing a week of work, watching a ton of Netflix, and drinking a lot of soup. For other people, catching the flu means a hospital stay and the possibility of not going home. Influenza is a serious disease. It can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. It’s a respiratory infection that can cause serious complications. Some of these include viral or bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, asthma flare-ups, heart problems, ear...

Every year, thousands of people make the smart decision to protect themselves from the flu with the flu vaccine. The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year. CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine. Keep in mind that vaccination is especially important for certain people who are high risk or who are in close contact with high risk persons. You cannot catch the flu from the flu shot, but it can...

Part of being a parent is worrying for our children, and that’s especially true when fevers spike. Feeling fearful when a fever occurs is a normal reaction, but having a solid understanding of why fevers happen can help diminish those fears. While your first reaction might be to call your child’s doctor, take a moment to assess the situation. A visit to the doctor might not be necessary. In fact, your child could even go to daycare or school depending on the fever he or...

It’s flu season, and if the pile of used tissues on your coworker's desk makes you worried about getting sick, you are not alone. Now is the time to take action to fight against germs that make you and your family sick! Here are some useful guidelines to follow to prevent the spread of cold and flu germs this flu season! Get a flu shot! Getting a flu shot is the single best way to prevent the flu. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the strains of...

"Am I still contagious?" For those serious about their jobs, a week spent in the bed recovering from the flu means major catch up work to do. How do you know if you’re ready to go back to work or send the kids back to school after a cold or the flu has interrupted your life? If you’re recovering from the flu, the CDC recommends you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever has broken unless absolutely necessary. It’s important that your fever has gone...

While we’ve had a mild winter, the stress of the season, the constantly changing temperatures, and close contact with other people has still reeked havoc on our immune systems. We’re in the middle of cold and flu season, so here is some basic information on five of the most common “winter” illnesses as well as some tips on how to keep your family healthy. The Common Cold The common cold is a viral infection that can actually be caused by many different...

The flu is always a bummer, but catching it while you’re on vacation is a double bummer. Here are some things you can do to avoid the flu as well as some tips for how to handle it if you’re traveling. Avoid the flu on vacation As they say, one ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The single best protection from the flu is the flu shot. It takes about two weeks after the shot for your body to develop the antibodies that protect you from illness, so...

It’s flu season, and if the pile of used tissues on your coworker's desk makes you worried about getting sick, you are not alone. Now is the time to take action to fight against germs that make you and your family sick! Here are some useful guidelines to follow to prevent the spread of cold and flu germs this flu season! Get a flu shot! Getting a flu shot is the single best way to prevent the flu. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the strains of influenza...