Flu season is
coming: Are you and your loved ones prepared?
Medical expert shares ways to stay
healthy and protected from the virus
Just like
that, summer is over, which could only mean one thing: flu season is just
around the corner.
As COVID-19
lockdown restrictions continue to loosen up, people are taking the opportunity
to go out more often. Many have gone back to work. There are even schools in
some areas that have returned to face-to-face classes.
While we are currently feeling the heat of summer, the
rainy season will soon take over. It has been
observed that during this wet period the highest cases of flu are being
recorded.
“After going
through waves of a grueling pandemic, taking millions of people by surprise, the
last thing we need is to head on to a flu season unarmed. As early as now, we
must be ready and prepare for any and all eventuality,” said Dr. Donald Josue, Vaccines Medical
Director at GSK.
To make sure
the flu virus doesn’t catch you off guard, here are some of the measures you
can do today to prepare for the upcoming flu season:
Update your flu vaccines
Making sure
you get your updated flu vaccines significantly lowers the risk of contracting
the virus. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) a flu shot is
recommended annually to ensure individuals are protected from the latest flu
virus strains.
Be mindful of social distancing
Because of
much relaxed restrictions, it’s easy to forget that we are still very much in
the middle of a pandemic. This means we should continue practicing social
distancing whenever possible. Just like the virus that causes COVID-19, wearing
face masks, keeping a distance from other people, or avoiding going to crowded
places are few of the easiest, simplest ways to lessen the chances of catching
the flu virus.
Keep your immune system in shape with a healthy diet
According to
the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), you can boost your resistance
by having a balanced diet and maintaining an active lifestyle. By giving your
body the right nutrients and exercising regularly, you allow your immune system
to perform at peak physical condition. This, in turn, enables your body to
resist any symptoms that may arise.
Flu vs COVID-19 symptoms
The flu and
COVID-19 share many similar symptoms, which makes it easy to confuse both
of them. First thing to do should you feel anything untoward is to not panic. Both flu and COVID-19 can
have fever, colds, and cough as symptoms. But the latter can also cause
fatigue, loss of smell, and loss of taste. Always consult with a medical professional to make sure you get the proper
diagnosis and treatment.
This flu
season, make sure you’ve got the leg up against the flu virus. Remember to wash
your hands regularly, boost your immune system, avoid large crowds, and get
that flu vaccine as soon as possible, because keeping yourself safe is the first step to making sure your loved ones
and the community you live in are safe too.
NP-PH-NA-PRSR-220001
| May 2022
A health
service message brought to you by GSK
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information, please consult your doctor.
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Philippine audience only
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events, please email: ph.safety@gsk.com
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