Jon Gestl
Health officials' warning this month of a potentially harsh flu season should be a red flag to avid aerobic-bunnies and gym-jocks alike. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warn that the flu is sent when flu virus in the aerial is inhaled aft an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. Transmission also occurs when a person touches a surface that has flu virus on it and past touches his or her nose or mouth. Those long-familiar with the regular health club milieu, then, can easily liken a workout in the gym to sitting in a veritable Petry dish…
Heavy-breathing members on closely-placed cardiovascular machines and in crowded group fitness classes, hundreds of kinds of distributed equipment from dumbbells and weight plates to public restrooms and the corner water fountain provide countless opportunities for contact with the flu virus. So, short of ditching our fitness goals until mid-Spring, it would do us well to learn more about the flu, it's prevention, and what we can do active it.
What is the flu?
The flu, or influenza, is a infectious disease caused by the influenza virus. It attacks the respiratory tract in humans (nose, throat, and lungs). The flu is diametric from a cold; it usually comes on suddenly and may include these symptoms:
- Fever
- Headache
- Tiredness (can be extreme)
- Dry cough
- Sore Throat
- Nasal congestion
- Body aches
About 10% to 20% of U.S. residents will get the flu each year. Among these persons infected, an normal of 36,000 will die, and 114,000 will be hospitalized. Although the CDC claims it is not possible to accurately predict the severity of the flu season, this year's early incidence of Type A flu strain is historically associated with a more strict flu season, including higher numbers of related hospitalizations and deaths. To make the outlook much grim, an epidemiological assessment by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) already reports "widespread" influenza activity in finished 10 U.S. states.
Who is at risk?
Although anyone can get the flu, including individuals who are healthy, there are varied groups who are at higher risk for complications. These high risk groups include:
- persons aged > 50 years;
- residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that house persons of some age who have long-term illnesses;
- adults and children > 6 months of age who have chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma;
- adults and children > 6 months of age who need stock medical care or had to be in a hospital because of metabolic diseases (like diabetes), chronic kidney disease, or weakened exempt system (including exempt system problems caused by medicine or by infection with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV/AIDS]);
- children and teenagers (aged 6 months to 18 years) who are on long aspirin therapy and therefore could develop Reye Syndrome aft the flu; and
- women who will be much than 3 months pregnant during the flu season.
How to Prevent Getting the Flu
Health officials are encouraging people, particularly those in unsound groups to obtain a flu shot. The CDC states that an annual flu shot is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get the flu.
The primo time to get a flu colorful is from October through November, although you can standing benefit from getting the vaccine aft November, even if the flu is present in your community. Be evocative that it takes about two weeks after the vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body to provide protection.
Obtaining the vaccine does not guarantee a flu-free season, however. Influenza viruses are constantly changing, and vaccine effectiveness depends on the match between vaccine strains and circulating viruses and the age and health status of the person getting the shot. Although the strain in this year's flu vaccine is diametric from the current strain, the CDC states that studies indicate that the vaccine should provide some cross-protection against the circulating A strain.
Some people resist getting the flu shot because of the belief that they will get severe broadside effects, or equal the flu itself, from the vaccine. The viruses in the vaccine are inactivated, so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. definite side effects are possible, such as soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, fever (low grade), and aches.
Chances that the shot will cause serious harm, or death, is precise small and susceptible reactions to the vaccine, though possible, are rare, states the CDC. Most people who get the vaccine have no serious problems with it. However, the following groups should not get a flu colorful before talking with their doctor:
- People with an allergy to hens' eggs.
- People who have had a severe reaction to a flu colorful in the past.
- People who have developed Guillian-Barre Syndrome in the 6 weeks following a flu shot.
Since obtaining vaccination doesn't necessarily guarantee immunity against the flu, it is wise to add common sense to our prevention efforts while we are busy pumping robust at the health club. Old designed hand-hygiene can go a long way in helping to prevent flu transmission. Although you don't want to spend your entire workout running to the restroom to wash your hands aft every set, it's certainly advisable to make sure your hands are immaculate before and aft the workout. Refrain from touching your nose and mouth during the workout to avoid obtaining the virus. Use of hand-antiseptics which include alcohol can also help to prevent transmission of the flu virus.
What to do if you get the flu
So what if you obtain a flu shot, practice major hand-hygiene and manage to contract the flu anyway? Since it is insurmountable to tell if you have the flu based on symptoms alone, visit your doctor. Tests can be performed in the archetypical few days of the illness to determine the diagnosis. Since influenza is caused by a virus, antibiotics won't work to cure it. You need to rest, drink plenty of fluids, avoid using alcohol and tobacco, and possibly take medication to relieve symptoms.
The CDC warns never to give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms, particularly fever, without speaking to your doctor. Doing so can cause a rare but grave illness called Reye syndrome.
By complete accounts, we may be in store for a particularly harsh flu season this year. Take precaution to reduce the likelihood of getting the flu, particularly if you are an desirous gym-goer. Preventative measures may not single help to avoid the flu, but also interrupting woody earned progress on your fitness goals.
For much information about the flu, it's transmission, prevention and treatment, check out the CDC website at
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flu/.
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