HOUSTON (PRWEB)
September 20, 2019

Most Texans are familiar with the routine – the thermometer drops and suddenly everyone around you is coughing and sniffling, but a Texas emergency room physician says your family doesn’t have to fall victim to the flu this time around.

Dr. Ruby Rose, a board-certified emergency room physician with SignatureCare Emergency Center, says there are steps families can take right now to prepare for the coming flu season, and keep themselves from the misery associated with the illness.

“Whether you are a medical professional, teacher or office worker, you will be exposed (to the flu virus) at some point during this winter,” Dr. Rose said.

To help families stay healthy, Dr. Rose has published a detailed article showing Texans how to protect themselves this flu season.

“This article will help you prepare your body’s best defense, your immune system, for not only the influenza virus, but all the other viruses that circulate during the winter months,” she wrote.

Among her recommendations are to follow the directive from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and get vaccinated today.

“The CDC recommends all people 6 months and older to receive a flu vaccination. This includes pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions,” she said.

She added that “there are various forms of the flu vaccine so speak to your medical provider about which type is best suited for you. People who have a severe egg allergy or a history of Guillain Barre´ Syndrome (GBS) should not receive the flu vaccine.”

For those who worry about the flu vaccine, Dr. Rose said getting vaccinated does not cause the flu.

“The vaccine cannot cause the flu because it is an ‘inactivated’ or killed form of the virus and it is typically made from a single gene rather than the full virus. The main purpose of a vaccine is to activate your immune system to make antibodies that will recognize and eliminate the virus when you are re-exposed to it in the future.”

She also recommends washing hands throughout the day, managing stress, eating a balanced diet daily, and taking supplements including garlic, zinc, probiotics, vitamin D and vitamin C, and Echinacea.

The CDC said almost 49 million people got sick from the flu last season causing missed work and school days. Dr. Rose said while most flu sufferers will recover without complications, some will progress to serious illnesses, hospitalizations and even death.

“Those patients at greatest risk include older adults, very young children, pregnant women, and people with chronic medical conditions or those who are immunocompromised by a disease process or medications,” she said.

Symptoms of flu include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, congestion, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue, and sometimes photophobia.

Think you or your family may have the flu? Dr. Rose says one of the things you can do is visit the closest emergency room.

“People can get worsening symptoms requiring a medical evaluation. You should seek medical care or emergency care when you feel profound fatigue, dizziness, pain that is worrisome or different, shortness of breath, or anything you are not comfortable with managing at home.

“You should also seek emergency care if you are immunocompromised in any way or have a chronic medical condition in which the flu could worsen. If you would like to take an antiviral medication, you can make an appointment with your primary care provider or go to your local Emergency Center,” Dr. Rose added.

About SignatureCare Emergency Center

Houston, TX based SignatureCare Emergency Center owns 24-hour emergency centers throughout Texas including nine locations in the Houston area (Montrose, Houston Heights, Cypress/FM 1960, Copperfield, Memorial City, Westchase, Bellaire, Mission Bend/Sugar Land and Stafford), Killeen, Austin, College Station, Paris, Midland, Odessa and Texarkana, TX.

Additional information is on our website at https://ercare24.com.

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