3 Tips for Avoiding the Flu in Houston this Winter

Influenza may seem more annoying than truly dangerous, but seasonal flu is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization. It also contributes to many seasonal flu-associated deaths.

While it typically isn't deadly for healthy adults, it can pose a serious threat to young children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with chronic health conditions like asthma or suppressed immune systems. To keep from spreading the flu to these vulnerable groups and to help avoid getting sick yourself, follow these tips, as recommended by Kelsey-Seybold doctors:

1. Get the flu vaccine: Everyone who is at least 6 months old should get the flu shot as early in the season as possible. Contrary to popular belief, the vaccine cannot give you the flu. While it does not guarantee that you will not get sick, it does reduce your chances of becoming ill and may lessen the severity of symptoms if you do.
2. Take care of yourself: Eating healthy, getting regular exercise, managing stress, drinking lots of fluids and sleeping at least seven hours a night may help your body fight the virus if you do come into contact with it.
3. Wash your hands: It's always important to practice good hygiene, washing your hands frequently and regularly disinfecting common surfaces at home and at work, such as remotes, counters, telephones and doorknobs. However, this becomes particularly crucial during flu season, and could very well keep you from getting sick.

Of course, you may follow all of these tips and still get sick. If you think you or one of your family members may have the flu, call our 24/7 Contact Center at 713-442-0427 to schedule an appointment with your Kelsey-Seybold primary care doctor or schedule online with AppointmentsNOW. We also offer Saturday sick-care appointments at four convenient locations: Our Memorial Villages Campus, North Houston Campus in Northwest Houston, Fort Bend Medical and Diagnostic Center in Sugar Land and Clear Lake Clinic (Bay Area Campus) in the Bay Area. Call 713-442-0427 after 5 p.m. on Friday or Saturday morning for a Saturday sick-care appointment.