Getting the flu isn't inevitable. There's a lot you can do to help prevent the flu. Prevention is even more important in light of new statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC now says that about 36,000 Americans die each year as a result of the flu -- that's up about 80 percent from earlier estimates.

"The flu can be much more than an uncomfortable inconvenience during the winter months," says Jerome Mirkil, MD, a family practitioner at Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center. "Although the elderly and those with certain health conditions are more vulnerable, even healthy people can die of flu complications."

Fight the flu
The flu -- or influenza -- is a contagious virus that easily becomes airborne. To reduce the chance that you'll get the flu, try these strategies:

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Use liquid soap or a clean bar of soap, and rub your hands together vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds.
• Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Get plenty of sleep, eat a variety of healthy foods, exercise, drink plenty of fluids and limit alcohol consumption.
• Avoid sharing objects, such as drinking glasses, towels and telephones, during flu season.
• Avoid crowds during flu season, and limit contact with those who may be infected.
• Keep the air in your home moist. Try using a humidifier.
• Avoid smoke.
• Take 2,000 to 3,000 mg of vitamin C two to three times a day.
• Talk with your doctor about whether you should get a flu vaccine.

If you get the flu, take your symptoms seriously. Rest, drink plenty of liquids, avoid using alcohol and tobacco and ask your doctor about whether an antiviral medication may help.

For more information about the flu, visit www.desertspringshospital.net and click on Health Information in the left column. Under Look It Up on the left side of the next page, click Common Complaints and scroll down to Flu.

Be on the Lookout for Flu Symptoms
If you have trouble differentiating between a cold and the flu, you're not alone. These common winter ailments have some similar symptoms.

There's a good chance that you have a cold if you have a sore throat and runny nose, you're coughing and sneezing and you ache all over. You may, however, have the flu if you have some of these symptoms:

• A fever or chills
• A headache
• A dry cough
• A runny or stuffy nose
• A sore throat
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches

See your doctor if your symptoms are severe or you have a chronic medical condition that makes you more susceptible to respiratory problems. The flu can cause serious, even life-threatening, complications including dehydration and bacterial pneumonia, and it can exacerbate existing medical conditions.

Should You Get a Flu Shot?
Don't let our temperate climate fool you. The flu is more prevalent in Las Vegas, and the flu season lasts longer here because of the large number of visitors who flock to our area.

Experts say that your best defense against the flu is an annual flu shot. They recommend flu shots for the following people:

• Everyone age 65 and older
• Those age 50 to 64 who want to reduce their flu risk
• Children over 6 months old and adults who have heart or lung disease, diabetes or other chronic diseases
• Children 6 to 23 months old
• Pregnant women who are in their second or third trimester
• People who live or work with those at high risk for flu complications

Prescription antiviral medications also can help prevent or treat the flu. In addition, a new nasal-spray flu vaccine is now available, but it isn't recommended for many high-risk groups, including seniors, infants and young children.

When should you get your flu shot? As soon as possible. And since the flu shot offers the most protection during the first 90 days, ask your doctor whether you need a second flu shot later in the season.

One More Reason to Get a Flu Shot
Flu shots may offer some protection from cancer. "People who get flu shots boost their immune systems on a regular basis," says Jerome Mirkil, MD, a family practitioner at Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center. "Studies show that people who get flu shots are less likely to develop cancer. Although the benefit is small, it may be significant for some people."

The Valley Health System c/o Valley Hospital Medical Center 620 Shadow Lane Las Vegas, NV 89106