Cold and Flu Season Tips from an Amber Specialty Pharmacy Nurse

• December 18, 2017
• Amber Specialty Pharmacy
• Health Tips

Tis the season, and I’m not talking about the holiday season. Cold and flu season is the time of year to be extra vigilant against germs.

The flu alone causes U.S. workers to miss up to 111 million workdays at an estimated $7 billion a year in sick days and lost productivity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Even though there is nothing you can do to completely avoid getting sick, practicing these tips can increase your chances of staying healthy this cold and flu season.

Get a flu shot. If your doctor says it’s okay, get a flu shot. The vaccine helps your body develop antibodies that can protect against the flu. The flu shot is made to protect you against the flu viruses that research indicates will be the most common during the current flu season. Even healthy people can get the flu and spread it to others, making vaccinating important. For this reason, I recommend encouraging family members and close friends to get flu shots as well. According to the CDC, flu vaccination reduces the risk of getting the flu between 40-60 percent in the overall population when the vaccine is well-matched to the most common flu virus. I advise getting a pneumonia vaccine as well if you’re due and your doctor says it’s okay.

Wash your hands with soap and water. I can’t stress the importance of handwashing enough. Wash your hands as much as you can, especially after touching surfaces in public places or being around people who have been sick. To successfully get rid of the germs on your hands, you need to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds – enough time to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice. Make sure you scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your nails. If you can’t get to a sink, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Make sure you use enough hand sanitizer to cover all of the surface of your hands.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Keeping your body healthy during cold and flu season will keep your immune system strong. Sticking to a healthy diet, exercising often and getting enough sleep are all great strategies to feel your best and avoid getting sick.

Keep your surroundings clean. Keeping your home and workspace clean can help you avoid harmful bacteria. This includes wiping down doorknobs, keyboards, phones, light switches, countertops, your work area and other surfaces that are often touched. Think about what could be contaminated and take a moment to clean it with a sanitizing wipe. For example, use a paper towel to open bathroom door handles or wipe shopping cart handles with sanitizing wipes.

Don’t touch your face. Touching your eyes, nose or mouth when your hands may be contaminated makes it easier to get sick.

Don’t share food or personal items. Avoid the community candy bowl and don’t share items like makeup or lip balm. This also includes not letting family members drink out of your glass or eat off your plate.

Avoid people who are sick, if you can. If your spouse or child gets sick, you likely can’t avoid him or her entirely but use caution by not sharing personal items and washing your hands.

Take care of yourself if you are sick. Rest and drink fluids if you are sick. Minimize your contact with others and continue washing your hands often to limit the spread of germs. You can also take over-the-counter medications to help with your symptoms if your doctor or pharmacist says it’s okay.

Talk to your doctor if you feel ill. Some health conditions or medications can affect your immune system and your ability to fight infection. If either of these issues applies to you, contact your doctor right away if you feel ill, as they may have special instructions for you. If you think you have the flu, your doctor may recommend an anti-viral medication.

Ask your pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter cold or flu medications. Over-the-counter medications may relieve some of your cold or flu symptoms but talk to your pharmacist before starting any new medications. He or she can help you avoid any possible drug interactions with your current medications. Remember, always take over-the-counter medications exactly as the label says. I also recommend reading these over-the-counter medication safety tips.

Don’t take antibiotics for colds or flu, unless recommended by your doctor. Antibiotics only treat bacterial infections and won’t kill viruses that cause colds or flu. Using antibiotics when they aren’t needed can lead to antibiotic resistance, which makes it hard to treat certain infections. Talk to your doctor if you think you have a bacterial infection. Note, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic when you are ill to prevent a secondary infection. Learn more about smart antibiotic use from the CDC.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for the flu or colds, which makes being cautious during cold and flu season essential to staying well. I hope my tips help you keep sickness at bay this cold and flu season. If you do find yourself sick, make sure you take care of yourself!

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Meet the Author

Michele graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and has been practicing for over 20 years, with a background primarily in oncology. In her spare time, Michele enjoys reading, traveling, gardening and volunteering with an animal rescue group.

This information is intended for educational purposes only. The material is not a substitute for professional help or medical diagnosis. It is important that you consult a medical professional if this information leads you to believe there is a concern for you or your patient(s). The diagnosis and treatment of all physical and/or psychological disorders requires a trained professional.