Staying Healthy During the Spring Season

As flowers bloom and temperatures rise, spring brings a welcome change in the seasons. However, just because winter is behind us doesn’t mean flu season is over. In fact, flu cases often see a resurgence in the spring, catching many off guard. With seasonal shifts and increased outdoor gatherings, now is the time to prioritize your health and stay ahead of the flu.

At MemorialCare Independent Physicians – Huntington Beach, the care team is dedicated to ensuring you and your loved ones celebrate a season fully of joy, and not germs.

Why Flu Cases Rise in the Spring

While flu season typically peaks in the winter, cases can continue well into the warmer months. Factors contributing to spring flu spikes include:

• Lingering Winter Strains – Some flu viruses persist beyond their peak, spreading as people relax on precautions.
• Allergy Confusion – Spring allergies can mimic flu symptoms, leading some to dismiss early warning signs and delay treatment.
• Increased Travel and Gatherings – Spring break, outdoor events, and travel increase exposure to new germs.
• Weakened Immune Systems – Seasonal changes, stress, and allergies can compromise immunity, making you more susceptible to infections.

What is the Flu?

Flu, also called influenza, is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs which are part of the respiratory system. The viruses that cause the flu spread at high levels between October and May. The difference between a cold and the flu, is that colds start slowly while the flu tends to come quickly, and you feel much worse. Main symptoms of the flu include a sore throat and a runny of stuffy nose. Other common flu symptoms include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Sweating and chills

When children have the flu, they become more fussy or irritable. They also are more likely than adults to have ear pain, feel sick to the stomach, vomit or have diarrhea with the flu. In rare cases, may people have eye pain, watery eyes or are sensitive to lights.

People 65 years and older are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications. Due to their weakened immune system, seniors are more likely to experience confusions, decreased mental clarity, fatigue, loss of appetite and unexplained fever on top of common flu symptoms. According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, flu increases the risk of heart attack for seniors by three to five times and stroke by two to three times in the first two weeks of infections. Serious flu complications can lead to hospitalization or become fatal.

The Importance of Flu Vaccines

Flu vaccines are safe and prevent millions of illnesses and flu-related doctor visits each year. During the seasons when flu viruses circulate, the flu vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of needing to go to the doctor with flu symptoms by 40 to 60% according to the CDC.

Flu viruses change every year and quickly. New vaccines are made within six months and are released every year to try to prevent against the most common variant, trying to keep up with the rapidly changes flu viruses. These are released during the flu seasons usually in September or October.

Once you get the flu vaccine, it takes up to two weeks to build immunity. Here is how flu vaccines help:

• Protect Yourself and Others: A flu shot not only protects you, it protects those who are more vulnerable such as the elderly, young children and infants, and those with weakened immune system.
• Reduces Severity: Flu vaccines lower the risk of serious flu complications that can causes death or hospitalization, especially among older adults or those with chronic health conditions such as asthma diabetes and heart diseases. If you get the flu, the symptoms are milder, and you may recover quicker.
• Develop Community Immunity: The more people who are vaccinated, the harder it is for the flu to spread – keeping your community safe and healthy.

When you get vaccinated every year, your immune system makes antibodies to protect you from the viruses that are included in the vaccine. However, over time the antibodies decline which is another reason to get your annual flu vaccine.

Who Should Get the Flu Vaccine?

The CDC recommends yearly seasonal flu vaccines for anyone age six months or older who doesn’t have a medical condition that prevents them from doing so such as life-threatening allergic reactions to the flu vaccine or its components like gelatin.

Certain demographics are more prone to serious complications from the flu, thus benefit from it the most. Groups who are at high risk of flu complications include:

• Adults older than 65
• People in nursing home or long-term care
• Young children, especially those 12 months and younger
• People who plan to become pregnant, are pregnant or recently gave birth during the flu season
• Weakened immune systems
• A body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher
• Chronic illness such as asthmas, heart disease, kidney disease, liver diseases and diabetes
• Conditions that affect the nervous system such as Parkinson’s disease, brain tumors, Huntington’s disease or epilepsy.
• Those who work in the healthcare setting, or are caregivers of those who are immunocompromised.

You can get your annual flu vaccine at MemorialCare Independent Physicians – Huntington Beach where the care team offers comprehensive flu care, vaccinations, advice, or any of your local pharmacies such Rite Aid, Walgreen, Target or CVS.

Tips to Lower Your Risk of Getting Sick During Flu Season

Beyond vaccination, good hygiene practices are your best defense against the flu and other spring illnesses. These simple, but effective tools include:

• Frequent Handwashing: Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or longer, especially after sneezing, coughing or touching shared surfaces.
• Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Use a tissue or the crook of your elbow to prevent the spread of germs when you sneeze or cough.
• Avoid Touching Your Face: Virus often enter through the eyes, nose or mouth, so keeping your hands away from those areas can reduce risk.
• Sanitize Surfaces: Regularly disinfect shared surfaces like doorknobs, phones, keyboards or tables.
• Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet: Boost your immunity with rich diet full of dark, leafy vegetables, antioxidant, low sugar fruits like blueberries and strawberries, lean proteins like chicken, whole grains like legumes and foods high in vitamin C, like oranges and bell peppers.
• Stay Active: Exercise helps circulate immune cells throughout the body, so it is important to always keep the body moving, even when it is chilly outside. Running, walking, bicycling are some effective workout methods.
• Hydrate and Rest: Staying hydrated even when you aren’t thirsty are crucial for maintaining mucosal barriers that protect against germs. Sleeping for seven to eight hours is also important because your body needs to repair and rejuvenate.
• Quarantine: If you do get sick, stay away from others to avoid spreading germs
• Take Home Remedies: Home remedies such as drinking hot liquids like chamomile tea with honey and ginger, eating garlic or taking over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
• Discuss with Your Primary Doctor: Always consult with your doctor before taking any medications.

When to See a Doctor

Most people can manage their flu symptoms at home with home remedies or over-the-counter medications. However, for those in high-risk groups that have flu symptoms, it is important to see a doctor right away.

If you have emergency symptoms of the flu, seek medical attention right away. Emergency symptoms in adults and seniors include:

• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest pain or pressure
• Ongoing dizziness
• Difficulty waking up
• Confusion
• Severe dehydration
• Seizures
• Worsening of existing medical conditions
• Severe weakness or muscle pain

Emergency symptoms in children include as symptoms presented in adults as well as:

• Fast breathing or ribs that pull in with each breath
• Gray or blue lips or nail beds
• No tears when crying
• Dry mouth
• Not needing to urinate
• Fever and cough that get worse

If any of these symptoms occur, go to your nearest emergency room. Delaying intervention can lead to further complications or possible death.

MemorialCare Independent Physicians – Huntington Beach: Your Partner in Health

When it comes to keeping you and your family healthy during the flu season, MemorialCare Independent Physicians – Huntington Beach is your trusted partner. With a compassionate team of primary care physicians, specialists and support staff, we are dedicated to helping the community stay flu-free.

If you or a loved one starts feeling unwell, MemorialCare Independent Physicians offers same day appointments to address any flu symptoms and other spring aliments swiftly.

Beyond flu prevention, the care team is equipped to hand all your seasonal health needs, from respiratory infection to managing chronic conditions exacerbated by the cold weather. We are here to support you every step of the way, offering expert care and compassionate service to keep you and your family healthy and safe.

Want to get your flu shot, call my office at (949) 831-0300 to make an appointment.