6 Tips To Prevent The Flu This Season In Michigan

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — Spring is in full swing but the flu is still going around and this is the longest flu season in the last 10 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

There have been 3,685 flu cases, 174 hospitalizations, and nine adult flu-associated deaths reported to the Health Division in Oakland County since October, health officials said. Now they are giving tips on staying flu-free throughout the spring and summer months.

“While flu is most common in the fall and winter, it can still be detected during the summer months,” said Leigh Anne Stafford, health officer for the Health Division. “Get vaccinated every year and practice healthy hygiene habits such as washing hands often.”

Health officials gave six tips to warding off the flu this season:

• Everyone six months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work, or school, especially when someone is ill.

More information from Oakland County Health Division

Vulnerable individuals are at greater risk of getting the flu and having it become a life-threatening illness. Those who are at a higher risk of flu complications are children younger than five years, pregnant women, older adults, and those with chronic medical conditions.

The flu virus can spread to others up to six feet away, mainly by airborne droplets made when individuals with flu cough, sneeze, or talk. A person may also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own eyes, nose, or mouth.

The flu usually occurs suddenly and can cause mild to severe illness and sometimes lead to death.

Symptoms of the flu include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults)

Contact a preferred healthcare provider or pharmacy to ask about flu vaccine availability.