Sniffle sniffle Achoo!

Published Nov. 10, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Joseph McKee
914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station -- It's that time of year again. The days are short and the red in the thermometer is not rising like it did in the summer.

Yes, that's right it's cold and flu season.

Influenza (flu) refers to illnesses caused by a number of different influenza viruses. The flu can cause a range of symptoms and effects, from mild to lethal. Flu symptoms may include fever, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills and fatigue.

While most healthy people will recover from a bout with the flu but there is a group of people who are at high risk of severe complications. According to Flu.gov these include people who have diabetes, heart disease, asthma, kidney disease, and woman who are pregnant. Flu related deaths range from 3,300 to 48,600 with an average 23,600.

The flu comes in many different flavors this year's being theH1N1 virus. The H1N1 flu is contagious and spreads from person-to-person, in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. The H1N1 virus can range from mild to severe but there things you can do to protect yourself.

· Get Vaccinated. Vaccination your best protection against catching the flu virus
· Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
· Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner especially after you cough or sneeze
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Your eyes may be the gateway to the soul but they are also a entry point for the flu virus
· Try to avoid close contact with sick people remember the flu is contagious!
· If you have the flu or flu symptoms stay home so you don't infect others

Ok, you did your best but you caught the flu. What now?

If you have caught the flu, you should stay home, talk to your doctor, and watch for signs that you need immediate medical attention. If you have shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, dizziness, confusion, sever vomiting or flu like symptoms that improve but return with fever and a worsening cough these are symptoms that you need medical attention.

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