How your doctors in Austin, TX, can help if you have the flu or develop COVID symptoms
The exact timing and duration of influenza (flu) seasons varies, but flu activity often begins to increase in October, so that means you need to be careful, because the flu virus can be anywhere. One of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of flu and keep you healthy is to wash your hands. Your doctors can help too, because they administer the preventive vaccines like the influenza vaccine, to keep you safe from potentially deadly viruses.
Dr. Paul Keinarth and Dr. Kelly Alberda of Family Health Center in Austin, TX, provide a wide range of medical care, including vaccinations to protect you against the deadly diseases.
First, let’s talk about washing your hands. You need to do this frequently, especially during flu season. Follow these steps:
- Wet your hands
- Lather them with soap
- Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds
- Rinse them under water, and dry thoroughly
When you wash your hands frequently, it will help prevent the spread of germs to other parts of your body, including your mouth and nose, which you frequently touch with your hands and fingers.
Now, during flu season and beyond, it’s important to know the difference between having the flu and potentially having COVID. The symptoms are similar, but the virus that causes them is different. According to the CDC, common symptoms of both flu and COVID include:
- A headache
- Fever and chills
- Coughing and shortness of breath
- Fatigue and muscle pain
- A sore throat and a runny or stuffy nose
- Vomiting or diarrhea
The onset of symptoms are different:
- The flu can cause symptoms to appear 1 to 4 days after infection
- COVID symptoms can appear 2 to 14 days after infection
The only way to know for sure if you have flu or COVID is to get tested by your doctor. Both illnesses can make you very ill and in severe cases, they can be deadly, so it’s important to take precautions. Your doctor can administer vaccines to protect you against these and other illnesses.
To learn more about the difference between flu and COVID symptoms and flu and COVID vaccines, call Dr. Paul Keinarth and Dr. Kelly Alberda of Family Health Center in Austin, TX. You can reach them in the office by calling (512) 459-9889, so call now.