Flu season has been largely overshadowed over the last few years by other respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19. However, many medical experts believe this flu season could be more severe.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expects flu activity in the United States to increase in the coming weeks,” says Brenda Croll-Stachelek, RN, Director for Infection Control and Prevention, Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN). “Flu in the Northern Hemisphere is often caused by viruses similar to those that spread in the Southern Hemisphere during their winter flu season.”

Get your flu shot

Getting the flu shot is the best way to prevent the flu. “There is plenty of evidence-based research that shows vaccination decreases hospital visits, hospitalizations, lost workdays and lost time at school,” Croll-Stachelek says. “The flu shot is your best method for protecting yourself and your family.”

There are many myths surrounding the flu vaccine, including whether the vaccine can give you the flu. “It’s an inactivated vaccine. You absolutely cannot get the flu from the flu shot,” Croll-Stachelek says.

Be careful what you touch

Washing your hands frequently and correctly can help remove viruses and other microbes from your skin.

Alcohol-based hand cleansers can be used when you can’t wash your hands with soap and water.

Remember to avoid touching your face after touching surfaces that others have touched such as doorknobs, cabinet handles, telephones, faucet handles, microwave or fridge handles, remote controls, shopping cart push handles, etc.

Also, clean surfaces to help remove viruses. The CDC says common cleaners, including soap, chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide, can kill the flu virus on surfaces.

Stop the spread

If you do end up contracting the flu, there are ways to avoid spreading the virus to others, Croll-Stachelek says:

• Stay home.

• Sneeze or cough into a tissue or the crook of your elbow.

• Toss used tissues into the trash.

Signs and symptoms of the flu

It’s also important to recognize the symptoms of the flu so you can differentiate it from other common winter illnesses. Flu symptoms come on suddenly and include fever, body aches, chills, tiredness, cough and headache, and for some people sneezing, stuffy nose and sore throat.

According to the CDC, cold symptoms are milder than flu symptoms. If you go to the doctor and are diagnosed with influenza, you may be treated with antiviral medication.

If your symptoms seem severe, you may need care at the ER, Croll-Stachelek says. “Go to the hospital if you have shortness of breath, prolonged illness that doesn’t seem to be getting better or chest pain,” she says.

Getting your flu shot has never been easier

Do you know that you can go to LVHN ExpressCARE–Palmerton for your flu shot? Located at 528 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, it is open 365 days a year and no appointment is necessary.