Huron Regional Medical Center

4 welloneconnection Are you an expectant mother? Be sure to get your flu shot! The shot is safe, reduces the risk of flu-related complications – expectant mothers are more prone to these – and passes the protection on to your newborn. "Women who are pregnant during flu season should get vaccinated, no matter what trimester or stage of pregnancy," says Erica Gillette, MD, family medicine and obstetrics physician at the Huron Clinic. "The shot protects mom while she's pregnant and also helps protect the baby, who can't get the vaccine for the first six months of life." A Flu Shot Protects Mom and Baby Say "Shoo" to Colds and Flu A few precautions can help you stay healthy this cold and flu season. Is It a Cold or the Flu? When you wake up sneezing, coughing, aching and feverish, it may not seem to matter whether your misery is caused by a cold or the flu. However, knowing the difference can help steer you to the most effective treatment, so you can feel better faster. "The cold and flu are both respiratory viruses, so they can have some things in common," says Erica Gillette, MD, family medicine and obstetrics physician at the Huron Clinic. "Flu symptoms are typically more severe. Flu patients may have a sore throat, a dry, almost painful cough, a fever as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit, body aches and even red, bloodshot eyes." Should you go to the doctor if you suspect you have the flu? In most cases, the best thing to do is stay home, drink plenty of fluids and rest. In some cases, however, flu can cause serious complications such as dehydration, confusion, irritability or trouble breathing, especially in young children or the elderly. If you are concerned about the severity of your illness, contact your physician, who can decide on the need for influenza testing and treatment with antiviral medications. Prevention Tips To prevent the spread of germs that cause colds and flu: • Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water. • Disinfect household surfaces often. • Cover your mouth or nose with a tissue or your sleeve when coughing or sneezing. • Dispose of tissues after use. • Avoid sharing dishes and eating utensils with others. Get Your Flu Shot No vaccine yet exists for the common cold. Thankfully, an annual flu shot can help you avoid this nasty flu bug. This flu season, Huron Clinic is offering a quadrivalent flu vaccine, which covers four strains of the influenza virus, rather than trivalent vaccine, which covers three strains. "The more strains covered, the better," says Dr. Gillette. "You have better protection and a higher likelihood that the strain of flu circulating will be covered." To learn more about Dr. Gillette or make an appointment, visit HRMC's physician finder at www.huronregional.org and click on "Physician Finder." is caused b knowing the difference can help steer you knowing the difference can help steer you to the most effective treatment, so you can feel better faster. viruses, so they can have some things in common," says Erica Gillette, MD, family medicine and obstetrics physician at the Huron Clinic. "Flu symptoms are bloodshot e Erica Gillette, MD w w w. h u r o n r e g i o n a l . o r g

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