ENT and Allergy Associates LLP Offer Vital Flu Season Tips
Nation’s largest ear, nose, throat and allergy practice
Informs Communities How to Avoid the Flu this Fall/Winter
ENT and Allergy Associates (ENTA), the nation’s preeminent otolaryngology and allergy specialty and sub-specialty practice, informs the community of vital preventative measures to limit the spread of the flu this season. In preparation for the increasing incidence of the virus in our communities, physicians at ENT and Allergy Associates offer tips to help identify flu symptoms and prevent the spread of the virus.
Understanding the Flu:
The flu is caused by influenza virus. In contrast, the common cold is caused by many different viruses. The predominant virus family that causes the common cold is the rhinovirus family.
While early symptoms of the flu can mimic those of the common cold, the flu can come with additional, more dangerous symptoms. More usual symptoms of the common cold include: sore throat, stuffy nose, sneezing, and sinus pain and pressure. The flu usually results in: fever, chills, fatigue, weakness, body aches, chest discomfort, cough, and headache. Cold symptoms are milder than flu symptoms. If you have any of these symptoms, it is important that you seek medical attention, as untreated symptoms can lead to more serious and lasting conditions, including sinusitis, pneumonia, and asthma exacerbations. Infection with Coronavirus is of course a concern at this time and testing is the most important avenue to pursue if you are concerned with possible infection or exposure to Coronavirus.
“At ENT and Allergy Associates, it is vital that we create awareness around common flu symptoms and help relay commonplace practices to help prevent the spread of the flu this season,” said Dr. Prashant Ponda, Chair of ENTAs Allergy Division and Partner in ENTA’s New Windsor Office. “It is essential that the general public is able to identify and effectively treat conditions of the flu, as untreated conditions can lead to more detrimental conditions, including painful sinusitis. In our offices, we maintain the capability to treat all shapes and sizes of the common cold and flu. We encourage all to observe these tips and be able to distinguish between the common cold and the flu.”
Vaccinations and Preventative Treatment:
The best and most common way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu shot. People can get a flu shot at hundreds of locations in the New York Metropolitan Area, including pharmacies. Flu shots take approximately two weeks to be effective while your body develops antibodies to the virus. During this time, the process of creating those antibodies and immune response can cause very minor common-cold-like symptoms for a few days. While flu shots have been implemented as the most commonplace preventative measure against the flu, it is important to note that the flu shot is not 100 percent effective.
An alternative to a traditional flu shot is FluMist , a nasal spray flu vaccine which comes from a live, but weakened, virus. FluMist, much like the injectable vaccine, can result in mild flu-like symptoms for several days following its administration. It should not be used by pregnant women, people with severe allergies to the ingredients in the product, people with asthma or heart disease, children under 2, adults over 50, children or teens who take aspirin, and people who have HIV or any other condition that causes immunosuppression.
The flu is rarely life threatening, but there are cases where it has been shown to be fatal, especially in older adults and young children. Most significantly, the flu causes days missed from work or school and general illness. The doctors of ENT and Allergy Associates encourage individuals to get their flu shots and avoid the spread of the virus by limiting exposure to other people who have symptoms of illness..
To learn more about ENTA, find a local office or book an appointment, download the “ENT and Allergy Associates” mobile app, visit www.entandallergy.com or call 1-855-ENTA-DOC.
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