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Flu Season Is Here. Here's How To Prepare and Stay Healthy
Flu season might seem like old news to you. But given the past two years, it’s more important than ever to be prepared for it. Because this year’s flu season is predicted to be more severe than in recent years. And the pandemic has a lot to do with it. Now that many COVID-19 restrictions have relaxed (think: masking and social distancing), more people are getting the flu. And hospitals are already overwhelmed fighting other illnesses (see: COVID and RSV).
So we connected with Dr. Timothy Murphy, State University of New York distinguished professor of medicine at University at Buffalo, to find out everything you need to know to stay safe during flu season.
Remind me. When is flu season?
Flu season generally lasts from October through May. But this year, the flu popped up six weeks earlier, with more cases than usual. For a couple of reasons. For one, there was “hardly a flu season” from 2020 to 2021, said Dr. Murphy. Thanks to masking and social distancing. And not very many people were exposed to the flu — or developed any natural immunity. Which makes us particularly susceptible to this year’s flu season.
How many people die from the flu each year?
The CDC estimates that there have already been between 730 to 2,100 deaths this year. For context, in 2019’s flu season, between 18,000 and 79,000 people died.
But here’s the good news: Preparing yourself for flu season is simple. Enter: the flu shot. Dr. Murphy explained it can help prevent you from getting sick — but even if you still get the flu, it’s more likely to be a mild case.
When is the best time to get the flu shot?
October is typically prime time to get the flu shot, said Dr. Murphy. Because “it'll keep you protected all the way through the flu season before [the efficacy] drops,” he said. (Psst…effectiveness usually starts to drop after about six months.) But if you didn’t get it already, experts advise vaxxing up ASAP.
Can you tell me where to get a flu shot?
You can usually make an appointment for a free flu shot at your local pharmacy. To find one near you, pop your zip code into this flu shot finder. Also worth noting that most health insurance plans cover the cost of a flu shot. But if you’re not sure, call up your insurance provider or HR team to find out. And if you don’t have insurance, you can expect to pay at least $20 out-of-pocket.
Can I get my COVID booster and flu shot at the same time?
Dr. Murphy says so. And “sometimes that's a very good idea that you can do it in one trip.” But heads up: Getting them together might make you feel more side effects. Think: fatigue or arm soreness. The good news: It means your immune system is doing its job.
Who can’t get the flu shot?
In the past, people with egg allergies haven’t been able to receive the standard flu vaccine, because some flu vaccines are developed in chicken eggs. (Yes, really.) But recent research shows that the vaccine isn’t likely to cause a reaction. If you’re still concerned, there are egg-free flu shots available (hi, Flublok Quadrivalent and Flucelvax Quadrivalent), said Dr. Murphy. So be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist about your options.
And psst: You can still get the flu shot if you’re pregnant.
What else can I do to prepare for flu season?
Think: Your standard good health practices. Wash your hands frequently, stay home if you feel sick, and avoid touching your face. Yes, we mean limit the picking, scratching, and 'thinker' pose. Because you may have germs on your hands that can get in your nose, mouth, or eyes. Oh, and read up on flu remedies that do and don’t work. Spoiler: You can skip the hot toddies. And opt for chicken soup instead.
If I do get sick during flu season, is there a flu test I can take?
Yep. You can get a flu test at your doctor’s office. Which, like a COVID test, is usually collected with a nasal swab. If it comes back positive, depending on the severity or risk (like if you’re pregnant or immunocompromised), your doctor may be able to treat the flu with prescription antiviral medication. And if it comes back negative — and you feel sick — your doc can advise you on what else might be going on.
For a milder case of the flu, make sure to rest and stay hydrated. The Mayo Clinic also recs trying over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. And while you’re resting, use the time to binge your favorite true crime docs or pick up a good book.
注释：
Susceptible: adj
表示“易受外界影响的 ”，means "easily influenced by;tending to experience strong feelings easily;impressionable “，如：Children are more susceptible than adults.孩子比成人易受外界的影响。
表示“易受感染的 ”，means "ikely to suffer from;defenceless “，如：Children are susceptible to various illnesses. 孩子易患各种疾病。
表示“ 容许的，能经受的 ”，means " able to have or be affected by “，如：This agreement is not susceptible to alternation. 这一协议不容许更改。
Quadrivalent: adj
表示“ 四价的 ”，如："Our study describes 2 cases of anaphylaxis after 380,000 doses of the quadrivalent vaccine had been administered," the researchers conclude. 研究人员总结：“我们的研究表明在380,000名四阶疫苗接种者中仅有2人发生了过敏，”
Pharmacist：n
表示“ 药剂师”，means "a health professional trained in the art of preparing and dispensing drugs “，如：Henry held himself out as a trained pharmacist. 亨利自称是个经过训练的药剂师。
psst: int.
表示“为引起人的注意时所发的声音:嘿！嗨！（暗中叫对方注意所发出的声音） ”，如：Psst!Let's get out now before they see us! 嘘！咱们现在趁别人没看见时走吧！
Toddy: n
表示“棕榈酒；热甜酒 ”，means "a mixed drink made of liquor and water with sugar and spices and served hot “，如：Scottish hot toddy is made with honey, lemon and whisky and keeps the highlanders warm.
一杯苏格兰热棕榈酒由蜂蜜，柠檬以及威士忌调制而成，它可以使苏格兰高地的人们保持体温。
Nasal：n; adj
n表示“ 鼻音 ”，means "a consonant produced through the nose with the mouth closed “，如：He talked to me with a nasal voice. 他带着鼻音和我说话。
adj表示“ 鼻的”，means "of or in or relating to the nose; “，如：A shrill, nasal tone strikes your listener like chalk screeching on a blackboard. 尖锐的鼻音会让你的听众感觉粉笔划过黑板一样刺耳。
swab：n; v
n表示“医用海绵 ”，means "implement consisting of a small piece of cotton that is used to apply medication or cleanse a wound or obtain a specimen of a secretion “，如：Loose your fist and put the swab on it for 15 minutes. 请松开手,用棉签按压15分钟。
cotton swap=cotton swab, 如：You should never put a cotten swap[cotton swab] or other object into the ear canal. 你不应该放一根棉签或其他物体到耳道之中。
2. v表示“擦洗”，means " wash with a swab or a mop;“，如：The crew were orderd to swab down the decks. 船员们奉命擦洗甲板。
severity：n
1. 表示“严重；”，means "used of the degree of something undesirable e.g. pain or weather “，如：At first we didn't realized the severity of her wounds. 起初我们并没有意识到她的伤口的严重性。
2. 表示“严肃 ”，means "extreme plainness “，如：It was the tone of austerity answering the tone of severity. 那种刚强的语气是针对着严肃的口吻而发的。
hydrate: n; v
表示“ 水化物 ”，means " any compound that contains water of crystallization“，如：With this technique, heat is introduced into the hydrate formation to raise the temperature of the material and promote dissociation. 采用这一方法,可将热量导入到水合物结构中提升物质温度,然后促进离解。
Acetaminophen: n
表示“对乙酰氨基酚；退热净( 一种替代阿司匹林的解热镇痛药) ”，means "an analgesic for mild pain but not for inflammation; also used as an antipyretic; (Datril, Tylenol, Panadol, Phenaphen, Tempra, and Anacin III are trademarks of brands of acetaminophen tablets) “，如：Taking too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage and even death. 服用过多醋氨酚可能导致肝损伤甚至死亡。
ibuprofen: n
表示“ 布洛芬（去痛片）”， 如：How about Ibuprofen? It has good effect on pain-relieving. 布洛芬可以吗?它的去痛效果较好。
binge: n
表示“放纵;狂欢作乐”，means "any act of immoderate indulgence; “，如：They went on a binge last night. 他们昨夜出去狂饮作乐。
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