Easy Tips to Stay Healthy in Flu Season

The flu arrived early this year in South Carolina and DHEC is warning residents that the virus is spreading at an alarming rate. According to DHEC’s latest numbers, there have been at least 571 hospitalizations and 15 deaths linked to the illness.  So now, more than ever, simple steps must be taken in order to stay healthy.  Adam Shick, nurse case manager with Mountain Lakes Access Health offers these tips on avoiding the flu.  “We tell our children to get enough sleep, drink their water, eat their vegetables, get outside and get active; the same goes for adults.  We put that aside, we get too busy, but a healthy body is the best defense against all those organisms that are out there looking to get on our hands or get into our body somehow and make us sick.” Health officials recommend that all South Carolinians older than 6 months get a flu vaccine as soon as possible, warning that even an inoculated person is still vulnerable for a few weeks after receiving the vaccine.  Shick adds that everyone needs to schedule regular visits to their doctors to prevent illnesses year round. “Having an annual physical with a doctor, sometimes it is expensive, but the cost is worth it because they will tell you what you need.  They will tell you all those preventative measures, early identification of any kind of potential health risk, stuff like that.” Flu season typically peaks in February, so health officials say the worst may be yet to come.  DHEC recommends washing hands, using hand sanitizer and limit contact between your hands and face.