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Aches and Chills How to prepare for the flu season. By OC FamilyPublished: November, 2006

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How to prepare for the flu season Achoo! Unfortunately, that’s a familiar sound in winter and early spring at school, work, the library, the grocery store . . . you name it. Between December and March every year, when people spend more time indoors and in close contact with each other, we are in the flu season. (Sometimes that season is stretched; flu symptoms have already hit public schools and last June, there was a regional outbreak.) Influenza, sometimes called the flu, is a common illness in the United States. When a person with the flu coughs or sneezes, this virus goes into the air and can land on people or objects within three feet, causing others to become sick. Most people recover from the flu in a few days. In fact, it can be difficult to tell the difference between a common cold and the flu since the symptoms are similar: fever, headache, sore throat, runny nose, dry cough. In general, the flu tends to make people sicker and more tired than a common cold. Some people, including young children, older people, and those who have heart or lung disease, may get very sick from influenza and need to see a doctor for medical care. Anyone – even healthy people – can get the flu. If you or your children have flu-like symptoms, you should contact your doctor or clinic. There are steps you can take to prevent the flu.  • The best way is to get a flu shot. The flu shot is recommended every year for all children from 6 to 23 months old, for people 50 years old and older, for pregnant women and people with certain health problems. (With children, check with your physician first.)  • It sounds simple, but the good old-fashioned advice your mom gave you about handwashing is true. You can lower your chance of getting the flu and other viruses by washing your hands with soap and water.  • Always cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze to prevent the virus from getting into the air and making other people sick. Better yet, stay home and keep children home when you or they are sick!  • It is also very important that you and your children have a regular doctor or clinic for checkups and for when you are sick. Children need regular checkups and all of the shots that can protect them from common childhood diseases. The avian flu What’s the latest on the bird flu? There has been a lot of talk in the media about this virus, also known as the avian flu or H5N1. Since the bird flu usually only affects birds, you might wonder why it has gained such attention. It is because this particular virus has recently affected a small number of people in Asia and Eastern European countries, almost all of whom work closely with birds. While the total number is low, these human cases have been severe (some people have died) and occurred in previously healthy young people. To date, the avian flu has not developed into a strain that spreads easily from person-to-person, but health officials are monitoring this possibility, because then it could become a pandemic. In Orange County, this monitoring is extremely important. The region includes a diverse Asian population, and this county boasts the second- highest Vietnamese population outside of Vietnam. Many Orange County residents travel to Asian countries and back, increasing the potential for exposure to the bird flu. Research is ongoing to develop a vaccine to protect humans against the bird flu. In the meantime, the best prevention is still good hand hygiene; contact your doctor if you develop any flu symptoms. This article was supplied by the Children and Families Commission of Orange County. The commission sponsors and supports programs to meet the greatest needs of the youngest children of Orange County. Resources For help finding a doctor or clinic, call the Health Care Agency referral line at 800.564.8448 or Info Link Orange County at 2-1-1. A list of community clinics in Orange County that provide affordable health care is available at coccc.org. Or call the Health Care Agency referral line at 800.564.8448 or Info Link Orange County at 2-1-1. Any time you travel outside the United States, get health information before you go from the Centers for Disease Control website at cdc.gov/travel.

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