It’s that time of the year again: another debut of what this coming season will offer. No, not the new TV sitcom line-up. This season begins in October, ends in March and makes its appearance every year, even though it is entirely unpopular.

The phenomenon is the flu, and there are ways to help you become “flu-ent” about this virus. Hopefully the following information will help you reduce health risks associated with the flu.

Flu 101: The Basics
Influenza, or flu, is a viral infection that attacks the different parts of the respiratory system – your nose, throat and lungs. Its symptoms usually appear quickly. It almost always includes a fever above 101 degrees accompanied by body aches and pains, severe fatigue and oftentimes headaches.

All too often, people confuse the flu with the common cold and stomach flu, also called a stomach virus. The common cold differs from the flu in that it develops gradually, worsens over a few days and is rarely accompanied by fever. A runny or stuffy nose is present as well as a sore throat. These symptomsare not often present with the flu. While fatigue may be present, it is less common than fatigue associated with the flu. Stomach flu is accompanied by vomiting, watery diarrhea, cramps and an occasional fever.

The flu spreads in two main ways. The first is through large respiratory droplets. When a person sneezes or coughs, droplets from the respiratory tract project, but rarely more than 3 feet. Since the droplets do not remain in the air, someone would have to inhale them at the time of the sneeze or cough for transmission to occur. The second way is by direct contact with respiratory secretions. If an infected person coughs on a computer keyboard and you touch the keyboard, the pathogens can be transmitted to your body by rubbing your eyes or putting your fingers near your mouth.

Flu Prevention
According to the Centers for Disease Control, getting vaccinated is one of the most sensible approaches to flu prevention. Each year, 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu and more than 200,000 need to be hospitalized, resulting in 36,000 flu-related deaths. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the 2008-2009 flu vaccines that include new strains of the flu virus. A large supply of vaccines is available for the upcoming flu season. There should be no excuse for people to avoid flu shots, especially those who fall into the high risk categories: older than age 50, young children and people who have chronic medical conditions.

Here are some additional tips to help you prevent contracting the flu:
• Wash your hands. Frequent hand washing is one of the best ways to keep germs from transferring to openings in your body such as the mouth and eyes. Wash your hands vigorously with soap for 15 to 30 seconds before shutting the water. Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet, especially when you use a public restroom.
• Exercise daily. Aerobic activities such as cycling, walking and running improve immune system functions, which in turn help the body fight pathogens.
• Follow a healthful diet and get adequate sleep. Focus on a balanced diet with an accent on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and small amounts of lean protein. A healthy diet, along with getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night, will help the immune system maintain a high level of functioning.
• Avoid crowds. The more people congregate, the greater the risk of exposure to flu-causing pathogens. Be very cognizant of crowds during the flu season.

But what if I get the flu?
Unfortunately, you may take all the precautions necessary to reduce your risk of getting the flu, but end up getting it anyway. If this happens, you can take any number of actions, including drinking plenty of fluids, and yes, eating chicken soup. Chicken soup does help the symptoms of flu by breaking up congestion. Get plenty of rest. To combat aches and pains, you may use an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, Advil and Motrin). However, you should be aware of any risks associated with these and similar medications.

In some instances, a physician may prescribe an antiviral drug called Tamiflu which can help shorten the duration of the flu. However, Tamiflu should be given within the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. If you are at risk for complications from the flu, see a physician as soon as possible. If the signs and symptoms of pneumonia are present when breathing deeply – a severe cough that brings up phlegm, high fever and sharp pain – seek medical attention.

Remember, you can reduce your risk of getting the flu. Become flu fluent.

Dr. Philip Heit is Professor Emeritus of Physical Activity and Educational Services at The Ohio State University.

Do you know how to prevent the spread of germs when coughing or sneezing?
Observe what people do the next time you see them cough or sneeze. Most likely you will notice that they cover their mouth or nose with their hands. The result is an increased risk of infection if you touch the same object as that of the infected person. When coughing or sneezing, do so into the inside crease of the elbow and not in your hands.

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