Many would consider flu as a contagious disease but not as dangerous as other illnesses such as diabetes or heart attack. Given this reason, some people tend not to take this one seriously without making a lot of effort to cover themselves from factors that could infect them with this disease.
Unfortunately, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu is actually more serious than how we thought it is. As a matter of fact, just in 2017 alone, about 80,000 deaths are recorded in the U.S., far from the 56,000 deaths that happened in 2012 and 2013 because of influenza.
The government health agency also explains that with the different strains of the flu, the virus is not easy to deal with at present, as posted by Consumer Reports. Most probably, this is why a lot of flu cases has been recorded and brought death to a lot of people during the last years.
"Influenza can take a perfectly healthy person and put them in the emergency room within 24 hours. Influenza is always dangerous," Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee, shared.
With this, health experts remind people how crucial it is for us to envelop ourselves with protection against this virus especially this season.
GET VACCINATED
"Vaccination-although not perfect-still prevents many infections completely, and even if you get influenza having received the vaccine, your illness is much more likely to be milder," Dr. Schaffner added.
Given this reason, it is crucial to get vaccinated especially if you want to have enough antibodies to fight this kind of virus. Your body, might not be as strong as you think, so a vaccine is the best back up to keep your guard solid.
ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS
In order to kill the virus, it is essential to always wash your hands with soap and water following a 20-second-rule. If soap and water are not available, hand sanitizer or 60% alcohol solution can be a great alternative.
Just don't forget, avoid touching your eyes and nose in order for the virus to not to get inside your body.
The best thing to do once you experience the first signs of the flu - fatigue, muscle aches, and fever - is to seek your doctor's advice, according to the Health Line. Hydrate yourself with a lot of water and avoid taking medications such as cough suppressants and antibiotic. Taking enough rest is also essential.
