流感季节已经到来. Lasting from late autumn to as late as May – and peaking between December and February – the season typically brings millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths. 这是2022-23年流感季节, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expecting flu viruses to circulate along with variants of COVID-19. This makes it as important as ever that we each do what we can to minimize our risk, protect our health and protect the health of those around us. Getting vaccinated against the flu is a vitally important way to do just that.

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses and can cause mild to severe illness and even lead to death in certain situations. 人人都易患流感, but individuals with a greater risk of developing complications from these viruses include children younger than five years old, 65岁及以上成人, 孕妇, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, and those with certain medical conditions like asthma, 心脏病和血液疾病.

在澳门新葡京博彩，我们最重要的方法之一 让社区更健康 is making sure that you know the key ways you can protect yourself, your family and our community from preventable diseases like the flu and even speed up your recovery if you do become ill.

首先——也是最重要的—— 接种疫苗. As we have witnessed the last two years with the safety and success of vaccines in protecting us from COVID-19, flu vaccination is the single-best way to protect yourself from influenza viruses. While it is still possible to contract the flu after getting vaccinated, studies show that flu vaccinations can make your illness less severe if you do get sick. Getting vaccinated also affords you the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you’re doing everything you can to protect yourself against the flu.

The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone six months and older, 任何适合年龄的流感疫苗. 如果你正在考虑鼻喷流感疫苗, it is important to know that this option is approved by the CDC for use in non-pregnant individuals, 年龄2 - 49岁, and that there is a precaution against this option for those with certain underlying medical conditions. You should talk with your healthcare provider regarding which flu vaccination method works best for you.

比如COVID-19疫苗, flu vaccines can take approximately two weeks to become fully effective, so you should plan to receive your flu vaccine before flu activity begins in your area. A good rule of thumb is to 接种疫苗 no later than the end of October. So, if you haven’t been vaccinated yet, now is the time. 永远不会太迟.

当我们谈到COVID-19疫苗时, it’s a good time to ensure that you’re up to date on your vaccinations – including the most recent bivalent booster that is recommended by the CDC for people ages 5 years and older. You can even conveniently get both vaccines on the same day, to save yourself time. Being vaccinated against both viruses is your best defense against becoming infected with one or both diseases.

你可以去卫生部门, 无预约诊所或药房, or your primary care provider’s office to receive a flu vaccination. If you don’t have a provider, we can connect you with one. Visit our website and browse our 找医生 tab at RaleighGeneral.com.

除了接种疫苗, there are other simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your family, and help prevent the spread of flu and other infections like COVID-19 during flu season and year-round, 包括:

• Washing your hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds, or using a hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol-based
• 在室内公共场所佩戴口罩
• 避免触摸眼睛、鼻子和嘴巴
• 避免共用食物、杯子或餐具
• 定期消毒你的家和物品, 比如门把手, 电灯开关, 儿童玩具和游乐区
• Staying home from school or work if you are sick to prevent the spread of germs
• Covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with a tissue, 袖子或手肘, 而不是徒手
• Calling your primary care provider with any questions

在澳门新葡京博彩, we’re taking additional steps to help prevent the flu, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses from spreading by:

• Maintaining stations stocked with alcohol-based sanitizers, tissues and hands-free trash cans throughout our facilities
• Continuing stringent cleaning and disinfection protocols
• 鼓励所有患者, staff and visitors to get their flu vaccinations and COVID-19 vaccinations/boosters

If you or someone you know notices symptoms including coughing, 喉咙痛, 发热或其他上呼吸道症状, 请立即与您的医疗保健提供者联系. Many of the most common symptoms of flu are consistent with COVID-19, so it may be hard to tell the difference between them. 可能需要测试来帮助确认诊断. 不要忽视你的症状. Limit your contact with others as much as possible when symptoms appear, and stay home (or keep your child home) for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone, except to seek medical care (If you test positive for COVID-19, you may need to self-isolate for a longer period of time).

好消息是当你根据症状采取行动时, 去看医生，及早发现流感, prescription antiviral drugs can often help treat the illness and shorten the time you are sick by one or two days.

If you have any questions or concerns about this year’s flu season, we can help. 只需拨打304.519.9210.

For additional information about the 2022-23 flu season, visit the CDC website at www.疾病预防控制中心.gov /流感.