Stay a step ahead of the cold and flu season
There'sbra lot to like about winter, with its cooler days and cozy evenings. Enjoy thebrseason and stay healthy by following these tips from Paul Kim, MD, a familybrphysician on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine.
Staybra Step Ahead of the Cold and Flu
Whilebrit may seem as if illness is more prevalent in the winter, catching a coldbrcan't be attributed to cold weather. What can contribute to winter cold and flubris proximity—people tend to spend more time indoors, close together. But thebrflu can thrive in dry and cold environments, so arid winter air allows thebrvirus to linger in the air.
Tobrkeep yourself and those around you healthy, Dr. Kim offers these tips:
· brWashbryour hands frequently and scrub for at least 20 seconds.
· brGetbra flu shot.
· brUsebrhand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
· brAvoidbrpeople who are coughing or appear sick.
· brIfbryou're sick, stay away from other people for at least 24 hours afterbrrecovering.
· brTakebrantibiotics only if your doctor recommends them, and be sure to finish thebrprescription.
Dr.brKim recommends flu shots for just about everyone. “In the spring and summer,brthe World Health Organization monitors a global influenza surveillance network,brsampling the strains of flu that are going around, he says. The flu shot forbrthat winter is based on the three most likely strains.
Flubrshots are especially important for seniors, who are more prone to complicationsbrfrom the flu, and for people who work with young children. Young children don'tbrget as much benefit from the shot, so immunity in others increases theirbrprotection.
ControlbrYour Allergies
Allergiesbrcan strike even in winter. They often start with a runny nose, postnasal dripbrand a sore throat. Left untreated, they can increase the likelihood that you'llbrget another infection such as a cold, bronchitis or pneumonia.
Checkbryour Smoke Detector Monthly
Duringbrthe winter, you're more likely to use the fireplace, burn candles and cook withbrthe stove top and oven. Make sure your fire warning system is up to speed. Andbrkeep fire extinguishers handy just in case.
Forbrinformation about services offered at Baylor Grapevine, all 1.800.4BAYLOR orbrvisit Baylor Health Grapevine.
AboutbrBaylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine
BaylorbrRegional Medical Center at Grapevine is a full-service, fully-accreditedbrnot-for-profit hospital serving residents in more than 20 cities throughout thebrDallas/Fort Worth region. Focused on being the best place to give and receivebrquality, safe and compassionate care, Baylor Grapevine works to lead thebrtransformation of health care. The 276-bed hospital offers advanced medicalbrservices for cardiovascular services, women's services, oncology, neurology,brspine care, orthopedics, diagnostic imaging, neonatal intensive care, intensivebrand emergency care.
AboutbrBaylor Health Care System
BaylorbrHealth Care System is a not-for-profit, faith-based supporting organizationbrproviding services to a network of acute care hospitals and related health carebrentities that provide patient care, medical education, research and communitybrservice. Baylor recorded more than 2.8 million patient encounters, $4brbillion in total operating revenue, $5.2 billion in total assets and $494brmillion in community benefit in fiscal year 2010. Baylor's network ofbrmore than 300 access points includes 27 owned/operated/ ventured/affiliatedbrhospitals; joint ventured ambulatory surgical centers; satellitebroutpatient locations; senior centers and more than 150 HealthTexas ProviderbrNetwork physician clinics.