Taking Care of U during Cold & Flu Season

Kids, elders, immunocompromised people, people with disabilities, and people with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk of severe outcomes and long-term complications of an infection. 

• Complications of influenza include pneumonia, inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), brain (encephalitis), or muscle tissues (myositis, rhabdomyolysis), multi-organ failure, and more.
  
  
• Complications of COVID-19 include the development of long-COVID (a wide range of ongoing symptoms and chronic health conditions that can last months to years after an acute COVID infection), heart disease, mood disorders, anxiety, stroke or blood clots, chronic fatigue syndrome (ME-CFS), mast cell activation syndrome, fibromyalgia, diabetes, organ damage, and more.

Research suggests that 1 in 6 infected patients may develop long-COVID, and repeat COVID infections increase your odds of developing new health conditions.

Know your risk, consider the risk of people around you, and plan ahead this cold & flu season.

Vaccines reduce serious illness, hospitalization, death, and long-term complications from an infection. While you can still get infected after vaccination, getting updated COVID & flu vaccines each year can significantly reduce illness severity. 

Because vaccines protect you from serious and long-term illness, they may help you save recovery time – getting you back to class, socializing, exercising, and living life on your terms. Learn more about vaccination options and make a plan to get your shots!  

Dreading post-vaccine side effects? Not everyone experiences them, but it’s good to be prepared. If you experience side effects after vaccination, check out our “Recovery” section for tips like staying hydrated, over-the-counter medicines, and getting good rest to relieve possible side effects.

Germs spread easily. Help prevent it!

• Wash your hands with soap & water frequently
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent germ spread
• Cover your nose & mouth when you cough or sneeze
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces (i.e., countertops, handrails, and doorknobs) regularly

Clean air benefits everyone. 

• Increase ventilation indoors by opening windows (as temperature allows)
• Incorporate HEPA air purifiers or DIY Corsi-Rosenthal boxes indoors
• Wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask (KN95 or N95) to protect yourself and others
• When possible, move activities outdoors where airflow is best

Did you know that many COVID transmissions occur from asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic carriers? This means you can spread illness even when you don’t feel or appear to be sick. 

Wearing a high-quality, well-fitted mask can protect yourself and others from illness, especially during cold & flu season. KN95 or N95 respirators are most effective at preventing the spread. Masking can be especially effective in crowded, indoor spaces. Keep in mind that viral aerosols are small enough to move through the air like smoke and can linger for hours.

Note: Wearing a mask is not weird, but some people’s reactions to masks may be (that’s on them). No need to second-guess yourself for choosing to protect yourself and your community. 

For more information about mask fit & performance, visit the CDC’s website.

Because you can spread illness before or without showing symptoms, testing ahead of an event, dinner party, or hangout can help reduce transmission (especially when gathering with people at higher risk for severe outcomes). Boynton Pharmacy sells at-home rapid antigen tests for COVID & flu, and Boynton Primary & Urgent Care offers higher-accuracy PCR testing as needed. 

If you test positive, reschedule and stay home to rest. 

If you’re experiencing symptoms such as a cough, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, tiredness, fever or chills, headaches, nausea, vomiting, or body aches, cancel your plans and call in sick! Staying home and away from people is the best way to prevent the spread while prioritizing your rest.

Self-Reporting Medical Absence from Class

If you can't miss work or class, wear a well-fitting mask, such as a KN95 or N95 respirator, around others.

Boynton Health provides polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, the gold standard for viral detection. PCR tests are far more sensitive than at-home rapid antigen tests and can identify infection earlier and more reliably, even when viral levels are too low for home tests to detect. 

Because rapid antigen tests have lower sensitivity, a negative home test does not rule out COVID — especially if you have symptoms or a known exposure. Visit the Gopher Quick Clinic, Urgent Care, or Primary Care for a test! Boynton providers will also offer you a treatment plan and prescribe any medications you may need to help you recover.

If you test positive for COVID, flu, or another illness, notify people you have been in close contact with in the past 5–7 days so they are aware of the exposure and can plan accordingly. 

Boynton offers a variety of over-the-counter essentials for recovering from viral illnesses. Here’s a helpful checklist:

• Cold Kicker shower steamers
• Cough drops
• Cough medicine
• Fever & pain relievers like buprofen or Tylenol
• Hand sanitizer
• N95 respirators
• Saline nasal rinses
• Tissues
• Vicks vapor rub

Stop in and stock up at Boynton Pharmacy! 

Drinking lots of fluids like water, juice, and electrolytes will help loosen mucus and help your body stay hydrated as it fights off infection. Warm liquids such as water with lemon or honey, teas, and soups can be especially helpful and comforting.

Avoid alcohol, coffee, and caffeinated beverages while you’re recovering as they can make dehydration worse. 

Resting while you are sick is critical. Your body uses a significant amount of energy to fight infection — conserving energy and resting (as much as you’re able to) can support your recovery. While you’re asleep, your body repairs tissues and restores cells and hormones. Sleep can help boost your immune system’s ability to fight off disease and infection.

If you are able, limit physical and mental activity, avoid exercise and overexertion, prioritize sleep, and rest your body and mind as much as possible during acute illness. 

Help prevent spreading your illness to others. If possible, try to isolate yourself in a separate room away from others while you’re recovering. If you have access to them, use HEPA air purifiers, and if the temperature allows, open windows to increase ventilation in your home. If you can't isolate, wear a high-quality, well-fitted mask such as a KN95 or N95 respirator around others — especially in public places and common areas at home.