Fighting the Flu Flu season is upon us. Here’s how you can help the whole family fight and prevent it. by Dr. Erika Gonzalez-Reyes
● ● ● ●
44 nfamily magazine
I
t’s that time of year again! Colds and other respiratory illnesses are more common in the fall and winter seasons. Among these more problematic illnesses is the flu. The flu season varies year by year, but it most often occurs between October and January. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. It affects the nose, throat and lungs and causes symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, headache, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches. The symptoms are mild in most cases, but in some instances, they can cause severe illness and even death. The flu virus spreads through droplets made when those who are infected sneeze or cough. These droplets can be easily transferred to healthy people who are nearby. The period of contagiousness usually starts as early as one day before symptoms develop and up to seven days after becoming sick. Although severe complications from the flu are rare, the U.S.
sick woman image Nico Traut/shutterstock.com
therapy