Flu Season Survival Guide

Hearing sniffling from other commuters in the train? Half your office coughing away?

Flu season might be upon us. And if you are one of those who has yet to have a scratching throat, you could use some flu season survival tips to maximise your chances of staying that way.

Is Flu Season Predictable?
According to the Health Promotion Board, Singapore generally experiences the Northern Hemisphere influenza season between November and February. The Southern Hemisphere season typically ranges from May to July.

What is Flu Anyway?
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. The three main types are influenza A, B, and C. Flu A and B are responsible for seasonal outbreaks, with flu A often leading to more severe illnesses, particularly in high-risk groups such as the elderly, young children, and individuals with chronic health conditions. These groups are more susceptible to complications like pneumonia.

So How Do I Protect Myself?
Here are some preventative measures to help you stay one step ahead of the flu virus.

Vaccination: One of the best ways to reduce your risk of seasonal flu is vaccination. Applicable to anyone 6 months and older, the recommendation is to get a vaccination once yearly. Vaccination can both decrease your chances of flu, and reduce the severity of the illness if you get it.

Social Distancing: Avoid close contact with those who are showing signs of flu. Keeping a distance between yourself and others can minimise the chance of you catching the virus. Of course, this applies if you are experiencing symptoms as well.

Mask Up: If you see an uptick in flu symptoms exhibited by people around you, it would probably be wise to mask up. This prevents you from breathing in infectious particles from infected people.

Keep Clean: Wash your hands regularly as you might be touching surfaces that have germs. Naturally, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth too in order to prevent these germs from entering into your system.

Build Your Resistance: Practising healthy living habits is essential in building your immunity against the flu virus. Eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of fluids, exercise daily, manage stress and get enough rest and sleep.

What If I’m Already Experiencing Symptoms?
While illness is inevitable, you can stay prepared. Here’s what to do when you’re not feeling well.

Drink Up: Keep yourself hydrated with water, juice, and warm soups.

Antiviral Medicine: Consult a doctor who will prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms.

Rest: Make sleep a priority to support your immune system in fighting against infections. Adjust your activity level as needed based on your symptoms. Go to a nearby clinic to limit your outdoor activities. You can also teleconsult and get medicines from a vending machine.

Stay Home: Staying home stops the spread of the virus, and yourself from taxing your body too much. To do that, you can use a 24/7 telemedicine service so you won’t need to step out for medical services. It’s also an easy way for you to consult a doctor on an emergency basis if the symptoms hit you late at night. Some healthcare services like Dr. Kart offer two-hour medicine delivery, so you can get quick relief.

Stay safe during the flu season!

Looking for a convenient way to get medical attention if you’re under the weather? Dr. Kart offers healthcare services such as telemedicine in Singapore as well as a 24/7 vending machine consultation service for a host of common ailments. Find us at Shell Station at 9 Tampines Avenue 2!

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