COVID-19 and Flu: A information to staying wholesome throughout the vacation season – FSView & Florida Flambeau

As Thanksgiving and the winter holidays strategy, many are apprehensive in regards to the flareup of COVID-19, because the pandemic has been infamous for coming again throughout the journey season. For FSU college students, the FSU v. UF sport is a vacation in itself, and with the stadium being packed this upcoming Saturday, COVID-19 and the flu pose a serious menace.

WHAT TO BE WORRIED ABOUT

This yr particularly, medical professionals are involved with an increase in flu circumstances and rising COVID-19 circumstances. Nevertheless, the principle concern for docs this yr is the flu.

Florida Well being launched a Florida Flu Review report amassing knowledge from the week of Nov. 6- Nov. 12 highlighting will increase in constructive flu checks and emergency room visits. 

The info exhibits that the 2022 flu season is considerably extra extreme than years prior. Particularly, throughout the final month, there was a 300% improve in flu circumstances, as reported by Pledger.

“The mutations with this yr’s flu variant are extra extreme. Inside the previous 5 or 6 days, we’re seeing COVID circumstances spike up between now and Christmas,” stated emergency room scribe and FSU Cell and Molecular Science main William Pledger.

Flu pictures are at the moment obtainable on the College Well being Providers constructing, and extra details about the flu might be discovered at fsunews.com.

WHAT ABOUT COVID-19?

COVID-19 circumstances are additionally climbing this Thanksgiving, with extra people testing constructive.

In line with knowledge from the New York Times and the CDC, in Leon County alone, there was a 33% improve in COVID-19 circumstances throughout the final two weeks. In Hillsborough and Duval counties the COVID fee has elevated by 30%. FSU’s foes in Alachua County are experiencing a 26% improve in circumstances.

As for different counties in Florida, the numbers are additionally rising inflicting many Florida residents to hunt therapy and medical recommendation with the intention to keep wholesome.

COVID-19 vs. INFLUENZA

COVID-19 and the flu each share the identical signs, making it troublesome to distinguish between the 2 viruses.  

These with both virus might expertise signs together with fever, chills, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, cough, headache and a runny or stuffy nostril.

“The flu is actually placing folks out, even wholesome folks. Some individuals are very feverish, some are nauseous… we’ve seen each flu and strep throat,” says Pledger.

Going to an area healthcare facility or physician’s workplace to take a COVID and flu check is really useful by the CDC when figuring out between the 2 and when in search of therapy.

WHAT IF I HAVE SYMPTOMS?

These with minor signs ought to consider carefully earlier than making the journey to the emergency room. Whereas not unprecedented, physicians from different departments are helping the ER in coping with a quantity overload.

“We’re at all times able to see folks on the ER, but when it is simply delicate signs, simply alternate Tylenol and Ibuprofen each 4 hours,” Pledger stated. “The therapy we may present just isn’t so totally different than how one can be handled at dwelling. It’s slowing us down from treating sufferers with extra emergent signs.”

The simplest means of in search of therapy for delicate COVID-19 or flu signs is to go to your major care doctor or keep dwelling and relaxation. In case you are experiencing issue respiration or different main signs, it is strongly recommended that you simply see a physician.

HOW TO STAY HEALTHY

To gradual the unfold of the flu, University Health Services (UHS) recommends “masking your nostril and mouth whenever you cough or sneeze, washing your arms usually with cleaning soap and water or an alcohol-based rub, and cleansing and disinfecting surfaces and objects that could be contaminated utilizing an accredited product.” 

As for COVID-19, the CDC recommends avoiding giant crowds, avoiding poorly ventilated areas, socially distancing when necessaey, and maintaining good hygiene.

One of the simplest ways to forestall contracting both sickness is to obtain a flu shot and get a COVID vaccination.

IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION

This yr, the FSU Clinic is providing free flu pictures for college students to spice up campus immunity. College students can get their flu shot by scheduling an appointment on-line or displaying up as a walk-in. 

For college kids petrified of vaccine unintended effects, Pledger stated, “For those who get sick from the flu vaccine, that simply implies that your physique is responding properly to it, and the vaccine is doing its job.”

As for COVID-19 vaccinations, the FSU clinic just isn’t providing COVID vaccinations this yr. Nevertheless, it is strongly recommended by the CDC to go to native pharmacies or docs’ places of work to obtain a vaccine.

For extra info on flu shot dates and occasions go to the UHS website or name (850) 644-4567.