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Tips for Staying Healthy in Sick Season
Reminder to be prepared for flu season
By Kate McPherson
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ANCHORAGE - If you aren't feeling well, it might be because there's a bug going around.
According to Alaska health officials, there are clusters of respiratory illnesses occurring around the state.
It’s nothing to be alarmed about, says Dr. Michael Cooper, the Infectious Disease Program manger with the Department of Health.
Cooper says it's not unusual to get increased reports of respiratory illnesses from anywhere in the state at any time of the year. But it is a reminder to be prepared for the flu season.
Health officials say because the flu virus is slowly spreading it's a good time to make sure you and your family have received the vaccine for this year.
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each year. It takes about two weeks for antibodies to begin working to protect against the flu, so the sooner you get the vaccine the better.
Here is a list of things the CDC recommends:
· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
· Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
· If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.
It’s also important to routinely clean frequently touched objects and surfaces, including doorknobs, keyboards, and phones.
"Flu germs and a lot of other viruses can live on inanimate objects look around a room and it can live on anything for hours at a time,” said Dr. Cooper.
