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Staying Healthy During Cold and Flu Season

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A cold or the flu can strike anytime, but they do have a more active season.
For colds, that season usually coincides with the school calendar, starting in late August or early September, then increasing in the first few weeks and remaining high until March or April, when it goes down.
Influenza activity often begins to increase in October and November. Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and March and can last as late as May.
The most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick is simple: wash your hands. A common way to catch a cold is by rubbing your nose and eyes after you’ve come in contact with a contaminated surface. Think door knobs, light switches, shopping carts, or contact with another person. So, washing your hands frequently with warm water and soap is the best way to stop a cold or flu before it starts.
Other good health practices are not sharing cups or silverware, and cleaning  commonly used surfaces like doorknobs, and faucets.Don’t forget to clean your cell phone, too.
Along with good hygiene, certain foods are known to boost your immune system. Try including some of these foods and vitamins with your meals and snacks.
Garlic may give your immune system a boost by increasing resistance to infection and stress. Its antioxidant properties goes after free radicals in the body.
Yogurt and other cultured milk products contain probiotics which contain beneficial bacteria that have shown potential immune-boosting benefits. Look for the “live active culture” seal, which indicates that probiotics have been added.
Also, check milk product labels for vitamin D. Early research suggests low levels of vitamin D may be linked to a seasonal increase in colds and flu and a higher incidence of respiratory infections.
I’m sure you have heard that taking vitamin C helps you feel better when you have a cold. It’s true—research suggests that taking high doses of vitamin C may help shorten the time you are sick by a day or more. Vitamin C acts as an antihistamine and anti-inflammatory to help dry up a runny nose. It also helps your immune system find and destroy viruses. When you are sick, or under a lot of stress, it only increases your body’s need for vitamin C. When looking for a vitamin C supplement, get one that contains bioflavinoids’ antioxidants found in citrus fruits, tea, and other foods.
Zinc is one of the most critical minerals for overall immune function and has been shown to reduce the time you have a cold. Zinc is found in meat, chicken, peanuts and peanut butter. It’s also found in lozenges as a cold fighter. While taking it won’t help you prevent a cold, taking  zinc lozenges every two hours within the first two days of a cold can decrease its duration.
Fresh ginger root can help you when you are sick by decreasing nausea and vomiting. The anti-inflammatory gingerols and shaogals in ginger root will help to relieve a sore throat quickly, and they also kill rhinoviruses, which cause colds in the first place. Drink three or more cups daily until you are well. You can also drink the same ginger tea to warm up on a very cold winter day. Make ginger tea by grating one ounce of fresh ginger in a pint of water. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add lemon and honey to taste.
Chicken soup, long known as a cold remedy, is likely effective because it contains any number of the above foods and their accompanying vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The aroma and cozy warmth can’t hurt, either.
Healthy bodies have an easier time fighting off infection. Not only are washing hands, avoiding germs, and eating the right foods important, but a few more things can help, too.
Moderate physical activity also has positive effects on the immune system. Over time, this means catching fewer colds and other upper respiratory tract infections.
Getting plenty of rest, decreasing stress and cutting back on unhealthy habits like smoking and over consuming of alcohol will also boost your immune system.
If you do come down with a cold or flu, stay home so you don’t get others sick. Use tissues when you sneeze or blow your nose, and wash your hands often. To feel better, drink lots of fluid, eat immune-boosting foods, and get plenty of rest. If symptoms worsen, or last longer than a few days, contact your doctor.
 

September Health Tip: Flu Prevention

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It’s the time of year when many people debate whether or not they should get a flu shot. If you are unsure if the flu shot is right for you, this information my help you decide.
Unlike a typical cold, the flu tends to come on suddenly, and the symptoms are much worse than just a runny nose, sneezing and sore throat. And although a cold can be a nuisance, you usually feel much worse with the flu.
Common signs and symptoms of the flu include:

  • Fever over 100.4 F
  • Aching muscles, especially in your back, arms and legs
  • Chills and sweats
  • Headache
  • Dry, persistent cough
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Nasal congestion
  • Sore throat

Most people who get the flu can treat themselves at home and often don’t need to see a doctor.
However, If you have flu symptoms and are at risk of complications, see your doctor right away. Taking antiviral drugs within the first 48 hours after you first notice symptoms may reduce the length of your illness and help prevent more-serious problems.
What causes the flu?
The flu is contagious—that means it spreads from person to person, often through the air. You can spread the infection before you feel sick and you are contagious for several days after you get sick. Children and people with weakened immune systems may be contagious for a slightly longer time. You can catch the flu when someone near you coughs or sneezes. Or, if you touch something the virus is on, like a phone, keyboard, or doorknob, and then touch your nose or mouth, you could catch the flu. The flu virus can live on a surface like a book or doorknob for a number of hours. Remember to wash your hands often when you are around someone who is sick. Make a point of washing them before eating or touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you can, stay away from sick people. That will help stop the flu from spreading.
Influenza viruses are constantly changing, with new strains appearing regularly. If you’ve had influenza in the past, your body has already made antibodies to fight that particular strain of the virus. If future influenza viruses are similar to those you’ve encountered before, either by having the disease or by vaccination, those antibodies may prevent infection or lessen its severity.
But antibodies against flu viruses you’ve encountered in the past can’t protect you from new influenza subtypes that can be very different immunologically from what you had before.
What makes someone more at risk for the flu?
Factors that may increase your risk of developing influenza or its complications include:

  • Age. Seasonal influenza tends to target young children and older adults.
  • Living conditions. People who live in facilities along with many other residents, such as nursing homes, college dorms, or military barracks, are more likely to develop influenza.
  • Weakened immune system. Cancer treatments, anti-rejection drugs, corticosteroids and HIV/AIDS can weaken your immune system. This can make it easier for you to catch influenza and may also increase your risk of developing complications.
  • Chronic illnesses. Chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes or heart problems, may increase your risk of influenza complications.
  • Pregnancy. Pregnant women are more likely to develop influenza complications, particularly in the second and third trimesters. Women who are two weeks postpartum are also more likely to develop influenza-related complications.
  • Obesity. People with a BMI of 40 or more have an increased risk of complications from the flu.

If you’re young and healthy, seasonal influenza usually isn’t serious. Although you may feel miserable while you have it, the flu usually goes away in a week or two with no lasting effects. But high-risk children and adults may develop complications such as:

  • Pneumonia
  • Bronchitis
  • Asthma flare-ups
  • Heart problems
  • Ear infections

Pneumonia is the most serious complication. For older adults and people with a chronic illness, pneumonia can be deadly.
Getting a flu vaccine shot every year can help you stay healthy and keep you from getting the flu. Medicare will pay for the shot, and so will many private health insurance plans. You can get a flu shot at your doctor’s office or one of our pharmacies.  A flu shot won’t keep everyone healthy. But, getting the flu shot every year can mean that if you do get the flu, you might have only a mild case.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that people age 50 and older should get a flu shot every year. Anyone who lives with or takes care of people age 50 and older should also have a flu shot every year.
It takes at least 2 weeks for your shot to start working, so try to get your flu shot as early as September or October through early November for the best chance at prevention. Most people have no problem with a flu shot. In fact, for most people, the flu is far more dangerous than the flu shot.
When you get the flu shot, your arm might be sore, red, or a bit swollen. These side effects may start shortly after getting the shot and can last up to 2 days. They should not get in the way of your daily activities. A few people do have a headache or a low-grade fever for about a day after they get the shot. The flu shot cannot cause you to get the flu.
If you are allergic to eggs, you should not get the flu shot. Because eggs are used to make the flu vaccine, people who are allergic to eggs could have a serious reaction to the shot.
Stop by our stores in Rocky Point and Hampstead during our normal business hours Monday – Saturday to get your flu shot. No appointment is necessary. Rather than risk it, get your flu shot today!

Is it a cold, the flu, or allergies?

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This time of year, we may get the sniffles, start sneezing, and a get sore throat. But, Is it a cold, flu, or allergies? It can be hard to tell them apart because they share so many symptoms. But understanding the differences will help you choose the best treatment.
If you don’t know which it is, you may take medications that aren’t effective or that make your symptoms even worse. So, how can you tell which is which? They all make it hard to breathe, but there are other symptoms that set them apart from each other.
Anyone who has had the flu knows that symptoms are much more severe than having a cold. Both can lead to a runny, stuffy nose, congestion, cough and sore throat. But if you have the flu, you can also get a high fever that lasts for 3-4 days, plus body aches and severe fatigue, and shortness of breath. Dizziness, vomiting, and even confusion are also signs of having the flu
With allergies, your body is reacting to a trigger, or allergen, which is something you’re allergic to, and not a virus. The most common seasonal allergy this time of year is ragweed. Though it usually starts to release pollen with cool nights and warm days in August, it can last into September and October. About 75% of people allergic to spring plants also have reactions to ragweed.
Allergies can also cause itchy, watery eyes, which you don’t normally have with a cold or flu. Allergy symptoms usually last as long as you’re exposed to the allergen, which may be about six weeks during pollen seasons in the spring, summer, or fall. Colds and flu rarely last beyond two weeks.
Most people with a cold or flu can recover on their own without medical care. But if you are at a higher risk for complications from the flu (including young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions), it’s best for you to contact your doctor.
Check with your doctor if symptoms last more than 10 days or if you aren’t getting any relief from over-the-counter medicines.
Drink plenty of fluids and get a lot of rest, whether it’s a cold or the flu. If you have a fever, pain relievers such as aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve pain and reduce fever.
Allergies can be treated with antihistamines or decongestants.
No matter what symptoms you are treating, be careful to avoid “drug overlap” when taking medicines that list 2 or more active ingredients on the label. For example, if you take two different drugs that contain acetaminophen—one for a stuffy nose and the other for headache—you may be getting too much acetaminophen.
Read medicine labels for the warnings, side effects, dosages. If you have questions, talk to your doctor or one of our pharmacists. You don’t want to over medicate, and you don’t want to risk taking a medication that may interact with another.
Don’t forget, we offer flu shots at both of our pharmacies. No appointment is needed! Just stop by during our regular store hours and we’ll take care of you so you don’t get sick in the first place.
 
Source: National Institute of Health and the Centers for Disease Control

August is National Immunization Awareness Month

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Most of us think immunizations are things we get as kids. By the time we are in high school, we’re done, right? However, it’s important to stay up to date with our vaccinations even throughout our adult lives.
To keep our community safe, Village Pharmacy and Rocky Point Pavilion Pharmacy are proudly participating in National Immunization Awareness Month. Shots can prevent serious diseases like the flu, measles, and pneumonia.  According to a recent report, vaccines will prevent about 322 million illnesses, 21 million hospitalizations, and 732,000 deaths among U.S. children born over the last 20 years, according to a recent report.
Over time, protection from vaccines can wear off and depending on your age, lifestyle, health and travel, you may be at risk for many preventable diseases, if you are not current with your immunizations.
All adults need the seasonal flu vaccine every year. We normally have the shots available at both of our stores starting in September. No appointment is necessary, so you can just walk in when it’s convenient and we can take care of you. The flu vaccine is especially important for people with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, and older adults. Everyone age 6 months and older needs to get a flu vaccine every year.
If you did not receive a Tdap vaccine as a child, it’s important to get one as an adult.This vaccine will protect you against pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus and diptheria (Td) . You should repeat the Td vaccine every 10 years. Pregnant women should get a Tdap vaccine with each pregnancy, preferably at 27-36 weeks.
Not only are vaccines important to keep you healthy and prevent missed work, they also save you money on medical bills. If you are a caregiver, or healthcare worker and work directly with patients you should stay up-to-date with your own vaccines, to help prevent spreading illnesses to those with a weaker immune system.
Healthcare workers should also get the Hepatitis B vaccine. If you don’t have documented evidence of a complete hepB vaccine series, or if you don’t have an up-to-date blood test that shows you are immune to hepatitis B, then you should get the 3-dose series (dose #1 now, #2 in 1 month, #3 approximately 5 months after #2). Get anti-HBs serologic tested 1–2 months after dose #3.
Were you born in 1957 or later?
If so, and you have not had the MMR (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella) vaccine, you should see your doctor and get two doses of MMR, four weeks apart
Have you ever had Chickenpox?
If you have not had chickenpox (Varicella), or haven’t had the vaccine for it, you should get two doses of varicella, four weeks apart.
Do you have a student heading off to college?
If you have a student heading off to college, and received the Meningococcal vaccine before their 16th birthday, then they should get a booster shot before leaving home and moving into a dorm. This is required by some colleges and varies by state.
Are you planning on traveling or living abroad?
If so, certain vaccinations are recommended at least 4-6 weeks before your trip. Planning ahead will give you enough time to build up immunity and give you the best protection from preventable diseases. Visit the CDC Travel Health site for information, recommendations and requirement for your specific location before traveling.
Not sure if you’re up-to-date with your immunizations?
The CDC has an online quiz to help you determine which vaccines you need as an adult. You can print out the results and take it to your doctor or healthcare professional and get the vaccines you may have missed or need.
All of our pharmacists are certified to administer vaccines.  We offer pneumonia and shingles vaccines daily and flu shots seasonally, and without a prescription.  We can administer any other vaccine with a prescription upon request.
All of our pharmacists are certified to give immunizations including:

  • Zostavax (shingles vaccine)
  • Pneumovax (pneumonia vaccine)
  • Prevnar 13 (pneumonia vaccine)
  • Influenza (flu vaccine)
  • Td (tetanus and diptheria vaccine)
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