Most people recover on their own from influenza. Sometimes, the flu and its complications can be deadly. There is a flu vaccination, which can reduce your risk of getting the flu and the severity of flu symptoms. 

You are contagious for a period of time around your illness. Understanding when flu is contagious is important to stop the spread of seasonal flu. 

Understanding the flu virus

Flu is contagious via small droplets from your respiratory system that are expelled when you speak, cough or sneeze. These respiratory droplets can land in someone’s mouth, nose or eyes. In some cases, it spreads when someone touches an infected surface then touches their own nose or eyes. 

Common flu symptoms include:

• Fever, although not everyone with flu has a fever
• Cough
• Chills and sweating
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Sore throat
• Runny nose

Symptoms come on suddenly with flu. Common cold symptoms build more gradually over time.

Contagious period with the flu

Flu takes one to four days to incubate in your system after you come into contact with the virus. You have the potential to spread flu before symptom appear. You are contagious for about three to seven days after symptoms appear. An infected person can spread flu even if they never develop symptoms severe enough to notice they are sick.

“Overall, you can be contagious or were contagious the day before you noticed any symptoms. You still can spread the flu for about a week after you started feeling sick or as long as you have symptoms,” said Rachel N. Alexander, APRN, nurse practitioner with Norton eCare. After symptoms decrease, the virus may continue to shed. Those with a weakened immune system may continue to shed flu virus for longer than an otherwise healthy person. 

The severity of your case of flu, your individual immune response and your flu vaccination status affect how long the flu is contagious. While the flu vaccination is not a guarantee you will not get the flu, it affects the severity of your symptoms and may help control overall flu spread.

Preventing flu spread

• Importance of staying home while contagious
• Proper hygiene practices (hand-washing, covering coughs, disinfecting surfaces)
• Use of masks in public or around vulnerable populations

If you develop symptoms of the flu, stay home and avoid contact with others. Wipe down surfaces in your home with antiviral wipes, wash your hands often and refrain from close contact with others in your home. If you are at higher risk for developing complications for the flu, seek immediate medical attention. 

Flu complications

Some people are at a higher risk of developing more severe symptoms of the flu. These groups include:

• Adults ages 65 and older
• Children under 5
• Pregnant women
• People with chronic health conditions
• People with weakened immune systems
• People with a body mass index of 40 or higher (Class III obesity)

If you develop these symptoms seek immediate medical attention:

• Difficulty breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Persistent dizziness, confusion or inability to wake up
• Seizures
• Not urinating (peeing)
• Severe muscle pain
• Fever or cough that improves then returns or worsens
• Worsening of chronic medical conditions

When can I resume normal activity after the flu?

Most flu symptoms go away in four to seven days for otherwise healthy adults, but you still may be contagious. You may go back to light exercise when you feel like it, but listen to your body and rest when you need to. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises staying home for at least 24 hours after your fever goes away without the help of ibuprofen (Motril or Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).

A flu vaccination is the best way to prevent spreading seasonal flu. The vaccine has been shown to reduce illness, doctor’s visits, time off work or school due to flu, and lower the risk of serious complications. 

Besides vaccination, everyday steps you can take to prevent seasonal flu spread include:

• Avoid contact with sick people and stay away from others if you are sick.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue if you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue away. If you cough or sneeze into your hand, wash your hands immediately.
• Wash hands often with soap and water. If those are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your mouth, eyes and nose. 
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that may be infected with flu virus.

There are many ways to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community from the flu. Getting a flu shot is the first step.

Read more on the flu

5 things to do if you have a fever

COVID-19 or flu? Each has some similar symptoms, but there are key differences

What’s the best time to get a flu shot?

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During flu season, everyone also needs to get their flu shot at least two weeks before meeting the new baby.

Adults need a whooping cough or pertussis vaccine (included in the Tdap vaccine) booster every 10 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pregnant women can pass protection from whooping cough to the baby before birth by getting the Tdap shortly after week 27 of their pregnancy — and no later than week 36.

Infants can’t get their own DTaP vaccine, which also covers whooping cough, until they are 2 months old, so it’s important for everyone to form a protective cocoon around the newborn by making sure they’re up to date on their shots.

“Whooping cough is very contagious and can be deadly for babies,” said Crystal D. Narcisse, M.D., internal medicine/pediatrics physician with Norton Community Medical Associates. “It’s typically spread through coughing or sneezing, and adults can spread the disease without even knowing they have it.”

A baby with whooping cough may not cough, but instead may gasp for air or stop breathing.

Any of these people who may be around the newborn should get updated for Tdap:

• Parents
• Siblings (children under age 7 get the DTaP vaccine)
• Grandparents
• Babysitters and nannies
• Other caregivers

Infectious diseases addressed by DTaP and Tdap vaccines

Both the DTaP and Tdap vaccines help protect against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. The difference is in their formulation. The DTaP vaccine is for children under age 7, while Tdap is for older children and adults.

Tetanus, also called lockjaw, is caused by a bacteria that triggers muscle contractions. The infection often causes the neck and jaw muscles to lock, causing difficulty swallowing and opening the mouth.

Diphtheria is another bacterial infection that can lead to difficulty breathing and upset the heart rhythm, and can be deadly.

Pertussis may begin like a common cold, but unlike a cold, the coughing can last for weeks or months. Symptoms usually develop within five to 10 days of contact with the bacteria. After a week or two of symptoms, infected people may develop uncontrolled coughing fits that cause them to make a “whoop” sound once they’re finally able to get a breath. The severe cough can lead to vomiting and exhaustion.

While babies often don’t cough with a whooping cough infection and often appear to have a common cold, pertussis can cause them to struggle to breathe — and they can turn blue because of the lack of oxygen. This loss of oxygen is what can lead to death.

Teens and adults tend to have a milder pertussis infection, especially if they’ve had the Tdap vaccination. Those with a milder infection often don’t have the characteristic “whoop” at the end of a coughing fit.

Teens and adults can have severe whooping cough cases, especially those who haven’t been vaccinated. The severe cough can keep them up at night.

The whooping cough vaccine is effective, but doesn’t always prevent illness entirely. Those who are vaccinated, but still get sick usually aren’t as ill as those who aren’t vaccinated. 

Those who have the pertussis vaccination but still get whooping cough usually don’t have the cough as long, and coughing fits are less common. Difficulty breathing and experiencing cyanosis (turning bluish because of low blood oxygen) are less common in children who’ve had the whooping cough vaccine.

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If you have a mild headache, fever, nausea, muscle aches or fatigue after getting the flu shot, it’s because your body is doing what it should. The vaccine triggers your immune system to gear up to fight off a real infection and that can feel like you have a mild case of the flu.

The immune response side effects only last for a day or two. Plenty of water and acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) can help relieve side-effects.

The flu vaccine uses dead viruses to spark the immune response. You can still get an influenza infection after your annual flu shot, but it’s less likely and with your immune system primed to fight it off, you are less likely to have severe symptoms.

The injected flu vaccine is made from dead flu virus or proteins from the flu virus. Neither can cause infection.

“Even a healthy person can’t predict how serious a case of the flu might be,” said Lacey A. Conway, APRN, a family medicine provider with Norton Community Medical Associates primary care in Bardstown. “Preventing the flu is the best way to keep from potentially winding up in the hospital, or perhaps the emergency department or an immediate care center.”

READ MORE: What is influenza B?

A severe allergic reaction to the flu shot is very rare. If breathing problems, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heartbeat, or dizziness occur it is usually within a few minutes or hours after receiving the influenza vaccine according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

An allergic reaction to the flu vaccine is unlikely, but you should let the medical provider giving you the vaccine that you have a history of allergy or severe reaction to the flu vaccine or a part of the flu vaccine, including an egg allergy.

Will nasal Neosporin protect me against the flu?

This untrue advice is a spin-off of another internet claim that advises putting an antibacterial such as Neosporin ointment in your nostrils before air travel to zap germs. Any protection offered by an antibiotic ointment would affect only bacteria. A virus causes the flu, so antibacterials are of no help.

Do young, healthy people need the influenza vaccine?

Current CDC guidelines recommend yearly flu vaccination against for almost everyone 6 months of age and older, including pregnant women. Flu complications can include severe illness and cause hospitalization or death among otherwise healthy children and adults of all ages.

Do antibiotics fight flu?

The influenza virus will not respond to antibiotics, which affect bacteria, not viruses.

Antiviral medications, such as Tamiflu, can help lessen the flu’s impact. Antivirals need to be taken within 48 hours of the first sign of symptoms. Additionally, over-the-counter fever reducers (such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen) and congestion fighters can offer some relief.

Can I prevent the flu by washing my hands regularly?

Frequent hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs, but hand washing alone cannot keep you from getting the flu. Influenza is spread through the air via saliva droplets that can land on you and get into your nose, mouth and eyes. The flu can live up to eight hours on surfaces, so you can pick it up by touching contaminated surfaces. Do wash your hands often with soap and water, but the No. 1 way to avoid the flu is to get the flu shot.

Common flu symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, cough and muscle or body aches. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, however these are more common in children than adults.

“If you are mildly ill with flu symptoms, seeing your health provider or visiting an immediate care center are good options,” Lacey said. “The important thing is not to ignore flu symptoms, especially if they seem to be getting worse.”

Is it the flu or a cold?

The post Getting flu from the flu shot, Neosporin in nose and other flu myths appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

In addition to the groin area, a monkey pox rash can break out on the hands, feet, chest, face or mouth.

If you are concerned about symptoms or possible exposure to Mpox, use MyNortonChart to set up an eCare video visit with a Norton Heathcare provider.

“We have a lot of worried patients who are coming into our practices,” said Angela Burgan, R.N., Infection Preventionist with Norton Medical Group. “People have rashes and lesions for a variety of reasons, so our providers really have to get into that information with the patient about their level of exposure to infected individuals.”Mpox

Mpox is spread by close contact, often skin-to-skin. That includes sexual contact as well as kissing, hugging or massage. The virus also can spread on surfaces, bedding, towels and other objects used by someone with Mpox. Respiratory droplets also can be a source of infection, though most cases appear to spread by close contact.

Some people with Mpox will get a rash followed by other symptoms, but some will have just a rash.

If you think you may have Mpox, either because of a new and unexplained rash or other symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends taking the following steps:

• Avoid close contact, including sex or being intimate with anyone, until you have been checked out by a health care provider.
• If you don’t have a provider or health insurance, visit a public health clinic near you.
• When you see a health care provider, wear a mask.

“Most patients are not acutely ill. Unless you’re having signs and symptoms of distress, the emergency room wouldn’t be appropriate,” Angela said.

Mpox rash symptoms usually start less than three weeks after virus exposure and a few days after developing flu-like symptoms. Mpox lasts up to four weeks until the rash has healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed.

Mpox symptoms also can include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Chills
• Exhaustion
• Respiratory complaints (sore throat, congestion, cough)

The post Is it a Mpox rash or something minor? appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

We turned to Paul S. Schulz, M.D., infectious diseases physician with Norton Infectious Diseases Specialists and system epidemiologist at Norton Healthcare, for some information on this disease.

“The first thing to know is this is still not a cause for panic,” Dr. Schulz said. “Knowing some basics can help you understand your risk as well as help prevent you from becoming infected. In the current outbreak, most cases of Mpox have been mild and self-limited, but there are medications for people who become infected.”

What is Mpox?

Mpox is a virus known for causing fever, aches, chills and swollen lymph nodes — followed a few days later by a skin rash of many small fluid-filled spots that then scab over. This rash often starts on the face and spreads to other areas of the body. Mpox is related to smallpox, which, thanks to a strong vaccination campaign in the world, was declared eradicated by the World Health Organization in 1980. In the United States, the campaign was so successful that vaccines no longer were given routinely after 1972.

It is called Mpox because it was first discovered in monkeys. In 1970, the first human case of the virus was found in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Until the current outbreak, most human cases have been in central and western Africa.

How does Mpox spread?

Mpox most often is spread by close, often skin-to-skin contact, with someone who is infected. This can include direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs or body fluids from a person with monkeypox; touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels) and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox; and contact with respiratory secretions from an infected person.

The virus also can be spread by infected animals, as was the case in 2003 when people in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin were sickened by pet prairie dogs.

What are Mpox symptoms?

It generally takes one to two weeks after exposure to start having symptoms. Initial symptoms are similar to most viral illness such as the flu: fever, headache, back/muscle aches, chills and fatigue. It often also comes with swollen lymph nodes.

A few days after these symptoms begin, a patient will get a rash. In some patients, the rash starts on the face and can spread to other parts of the body. Some patients have had rash primarily in the genital region. The rash starts out looking like small flat spots (macules) that turn into raised spots of less than 1 centimeter (papules) and then fluid-filled sacs (vesicles) before becoming a pus-filled sac similar to a pimple (pustules). These lesions then turn into scabs that fall off. This takes between two and four weeks.

What is the treatment for Mpox?

Most individuals infected with Mpox have mild disease and recover without medication. For people who have severe disease, or who are risk for severe disease, an antiviral medicine is available.

How sick can I get from Mpox?

People who are immunocompromised or have existing skin conditions such as eczema are most at risk for severe issues if they get Mpox. Also, lesions in more sensitive parts of the body, such as eyes, can cause damage. Lesions also can become infected and cause scarring.

The West African type of Mpox that is currently spreading is rarely deadly. More than 99% of people with this infection are likely to survive, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Those more likely to become seriously ill or die include those with weakened immune systems, children under age 8, people with a history of eczema, and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, according to the CDC.

What should I do if I think I have Mpox?

If you have symptoms, you should contact your medical provider right away. If you do not have a provider, use your free MyNortonChart account to schedule a Norton eCare telehealth visit. If you make an in-person appointment, be sure to wear your mask and inform the staff that you are concerned you may have Mpox.

Can I prevent Mpox?

As with other viruses, washing your hands, especially before eating, is very important to prevent infection. If you are around someone who has Mpox, avoid contact with them, their clothes or bedding. If you are infected, isolate from others until your lesions have healed. When infected people must be around others, they should cover the rash, and anyone over age 2 should wear a mask. Respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing are thought to carry the virus.

Is there a vaccine for Mpox?

Jynneos vaccine is a vaccine that is licensed to prevent smallpox and Mpox in people who are at least 18 years old. Jynneos is recommended only for certain people at high risk of coming into contact with monkeypox. If you think you are a person at high risk, talk to your health care provider.

Jynneos also can be given to people who are exposed to MpoxMpox. When given to people within four days of exposure, it often can prevent infection. If given within two weeks of infection, it can lessen the severity of illness. Children who have close contact with someone with monkeypox can receive the vaccine under special approval issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

More information is available from the CDC.

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“For the most part, RSV attention has been focused on children,” said Julio A. Ramirez, M.D., FACP, chief scientific officer, Norton Infectious Diseases Institute. “But some studies have suggested that up to 10% of adults with respiratory illness have RSV.”

The study, which is funded by Pfizer, will look at some of the best ways to identify RSV in adults. The long-term goal is to determine which adults are most impacted.

Patients ages 40 years and older who are experiencing respiratory symptoms and admitted to one of Norton Healthcare’s four adult-service hospitals in Louisville are invited to participate in the study. Once enrolled, nasopharyngeal, saliva, sputum and blood samples will be collected.

Symptoms of a mild RSV infection are very similar to a cold, including congestion and runny nose, cough, low fever, sore throat, headache and sneezing. In serious cases, RSV may lead to wheezing, difficulty breathing, higher fever, more severe cough and even bluish skin, indicating low oxygen levels. RSV also can cause pneumonia, bronchiolitis and congestive heart failure. Breathing often is most affected.

RSV also may play a part in making underlying chronic health conditions worse, including cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic and immune systems conditions.

“The majority of adults who get RSV have very minor symptoms,” said Ruth Carrico, Ph.D., DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CIC, FSHEA, FNAP, FAAN, director of research operations, Norton Infectious Diseases Institute. “But severe cases do occur in adults.”

RSV is a virus, and cannot be treated effectively with antibacterial agents. Instead, people with RSV usually are given supportive care similar to treating a cold or fever. In serious cases, this includes fluids and oxygen, and possibly a ventilator.

Norton Infectious Diseases Institute was chosen for this study because of the team’s depth of experience in clinical research. The team began enrolling patients in December 2021 and has more than 300 patients participating to date. The goal is to enroll up to 3,000 individuals over the course of the next two RSV seasons, which generally run November through April.

About the research team

Julio A. Ramirez, M.D., FACP, is chief scientific officer for Norton Infectious Diseases Institute, a part of Norton Healthcare, in Louisville, Ky., and professor of medicine at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He’s also a fellow of the American College of Physicians. He is board certified in internal medicine and holds subspecialty certification in infectious diseases.

Dr. Ramirez’s areas of clinical and translational research include pneumonia, influenza and emerging respiratory pathogens. His research activities have received funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Defense and the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Ramirez has been published in more than 250 peer-reviewed publications, and he is a reviewer for several journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine and Annals of Internal Medicine. Dr. Ramirez currently serves as the section editor on pulmonary infections for the evidence-based clinical decision support tool “UpToDate.”

Dr. Ramirez served as a member of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) committee for the development of national guidelines for the management of community-acquired pneumonia and, more recently, on the ATS International Task Force on COVID-19, which published guidelines for the management of COVID-19. He also served as a member of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committee for the approval of anti-infective drugs. Dr. Ramirez is the recipient of the 2013 European Respiratory Society Presidential Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to research in the field of respiratory infections.

Ruth Carrico, Ph.D., DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CIC, FSHEA, FNAP, FAAN, is director of research operations for Norton Infectious Diseases Institute. She is a family nurse practitioner and gratis faculty professor with the University of Louisville School Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases. Dr. Carrico has received training specific to health care epidemiology at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in conjunction with the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

Dr. Carrico has been on numerous boards and held numerous positions with infectious diseases societies and organizations, including APIC Text of Infection Control and Epidemiology, the CDC National Biosurveillance Subcommittee Advisory Committee to the Director and the CDC’s Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee. In October 2021, Dr. Carrico was inducted as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, the highest honor in the nursing profession. Her practice and research activities involve infectious diseases, infection prevention and control, vaccinology and international travel medicine.

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Getting treated for an STI early can prevent long-term complications.

Condoms can reduce your chances of spreading or contracting an STI, but some infections such as herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV) can spread simply through skin-to-skin contact. Dental dams — either ready-to-use or improvised by cutting a condom into a flat sheet — can help protect against STIs during oral sex.

Limiting the number of partners, getting tested regularly and having candid conversations with your health care provider and partners can help prevent the spread. Most STIs can be treated easily and cured. If left untreated they can lead to serious complications.

Here are some of the more widespread STIs you can have and not know it.

Human papillomavirus

HPV can be spread through vaginal, anal or oral sex and can be spread when the carrier has no signs or symptoms. Indeed, symptoms may not appear for years after you’ve been infected.

HPV usually goes away without causing any health issues. If HPV persists, it can cause genital warts and cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis or anus. HPV also can cause cancer in the back of the throat.

HPV vaccines are safe and effective and are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) starting at age 11 or 12. If you haven’t been vaccinated, you still can do so up to age 26.

Testing

There is currently no test for HPV.

Chlamydia

Most who are infected do not have any symptoms.

If there are symptoms, they can appear a few weeks after infection and include

• Vaginal or penile discharge
• Painful urination
• Vaginal bleeding outside of menstruation
• Pelvic pain in individuals assigned female at birth
• Testicular pain

Testing

The CDC recommends testing every year for individuals assigned female at birth who are under age 25 and for those who are older with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners or a sex partner who has an STI. At-risk people who are pregnant should be tested regularly starting early in their pregnancy.

Sexually active gay and bisexual males should be tested at least once per year.

Gonorrhea

Some people have no symptoms of gonorrhea at all. In those assigned female at birth, the symptoms may be so mild that they can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection.

Assigned males who have symptoms may experience a burning sensation when urinating, penile discharge and, less commonly, painful or swollen testicles.

Symptoms in assigned females can include painful or burning urination, increased vaginal discharge and bleeding between periods.

If a rectal infection if a rectal infection is present, symptoms could include discharge, itching, soreness, bleeding or painful bowel movements.

Testing

Individuals assigned female at birth who are sexually active and under age 25 should be tested annually, according to the CDC. If they are 25 or older they should be tested annually if they have new or multiple sex partners or a partner who has an STI. Those who are at risk and are pregnant should be tested regularly starting early in pregnancy. All sexually active gay and bisexual males should be tested at least once a year.

Genital herpes

Not everyone gets the painful red blisters associated with herpes, and even those who do can still spread it between breakouts. Most with the herpes simplex virus (HSV) have no symptoms or mild symptoms that can be mistaken for another skin condition.

When symptoms do appear, they will be herpes lesions as one or more small blisters on or around the genitals, rectum or mouth. There also may be pain when urinating and an itching sensation around the genitals.

The blisters break and leave painful ulcers that can take a few weeks after the initial infection to heal.

Condoms and dental dams can help prevent the spread of HSV. There’s no cure for herpes, but there are treatments to control the symptoms.

Testing

The CDC does not recommend HSV screening for the general population, but does describe a number of scenarios where a test would be appropriate. Consult with your health care provider if you think you need a test for HSV.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis, sometimes referred to as “trich,” is the most common curable STI, according to the CDC. The parasitic infection typically has no noticeable symptoms.

READ MORE: What’s the right age to start getting Pap smear tests?

There are no symptoms for about 70% of the more than 2 million people infected each year with trichomoniasis. The parasite usually spreads from penis to vagina, vagina to penis or vagina to vagina.

Symptoms of trichomoniasis may include:

• Itching or irritation inside the penis
• Burning after urination or ejaculation
• Discharge from the penis
• Vaginal discharge that can be clear, white, yellowish, or greenish with an unusual fishy smell
• Itching, burning, redness or soreness of the female genitals
• Discomfort in the female urethra

Trichomoniasis can increase the risk of getting or spreading other sexually transmitted infections. Genital inflammation from trichomoniasis can make it easier to contract or pass HIV.

Testing

Your health care provider can test for trichomoniasis and, if the test is positive, can prescribe oral medication. The CDC does not recommend routine screenings among the general population. Screening is recommended for those assigned female at birth who are at high risk with multiple partners, exchanging sex for money, illicit drug use or a history of STIs.

Reviewed by Jessica R. Stumbo, M.D., internal medicine/pediatrics provider with Norton Community Medical Associates – LaGrange.

The post Some sexually transmitted infections have no symptoms appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Stay home for 14 days after your last close contact with a person who now has symptoms. That means if you had close contact on Thanksgiving Day, you need to quarantine until Dec. 10.

“The quarantine period is still 14 days, and while symptoms usually show up about five days after exposure, evidence currently shows if you’ve been exposed you need to stay home for the full two weeks,” said Christina M. Breit, M.D., internal medicine physician with Norton Community Medical Associates – Mallard Creek.

According to Dr. Breit, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has offered some additional recommendations for those who would face a burden with a two-week quarantine.

Quarantine can end on Day 10 if you need to return to work. If you got a coronavirus test five or more days after contact, you can break your quarantine after Day 7 if you’ve received a negative result.

Close contact, according to the CDC, means:

• You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more while not wearing a mask.
• You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19.
• You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them).
• You shared eating or drinking utensils.
• The person sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you.

While you are staying home for 14 days, watch for a fever, cough, shortness of breath or other COVID-19 symptoms. The steps for protecting others in the house due to your exposure are much the same as if you were actually sick.

Stay away from others, especially those who are at high risk. If you live in close quarters, try to maintain 6 feet of separation, sleep head-to-toe if you share a bed, disinfect high-touch surfaces and make sure everyone has their flu shot.

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Areas from Portland, south to Shively and Okolona, recorded the highest concentrations of flu cases through all of last season.

The flu vaccine and good hygiene are the best tools we have to fight the spread of flu. Your body takes about two weeks to build up antibodies to the flu, and protection generally lasts about six months.

Because the flu virus mutates from the time the predominant strains are identified earlier in the year, the vaccine is about 40% to 60% effective most years. Getting the shot by mid-October helps protect you as the peak of the season starts in late November and runs into March.

Flu prevention tips

• Avoid being face to face with a sick person. If possible, spend as little time as possible in close contact with a sick person.
• When holding sick children, place their chin on your shoulder so they will not cough in your face.
• Wash your hands often, as soon as you’ve had contact with a sick person and after handling their tissues or laundry.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

More flu news

• Get a flu shot for protection through the season
• 5 things to do if you have a fever
• When is the flu an emergency?
• Coronavirus or flu? Each has some similar symptoms, but there are key differences

Louisville-area flu cases diagnosed by Norton Healthcare providers last season

Cases per 1,000 adults by home ZIP 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The post Last season’s flu was heaviest in West Louisville, South Louisville appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Parents are used to keeping track of vaccines for their children, but what about their own immunizations? How can adults, who may not have seen their vaccination records for decades, be sure they’re protected against preventable diseases?

Christina M. Breit, M.D., internal medicine physician with Norton Community Medical Associates – Mallard Creek, explains what adults should do if they are concerned about whether they’re protected against diseases. According to Dr. Breit, here’s what you should know:

What’s the Most Common Vaccine That Adults May Be Missing?

The most common vaccine that we see in our practice that is not up to date is the Tdap. This is a tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis booster that should be given every 10 years.

How Can Adults Find Out If They’re Protected From Certain Diseases, Especially If They Don’t Have Access to Their Immunization Records?

A primary care provider can order titers, which are available for most diseases that vaccines protect against. A titer is a blood test that shows whether your body is immune to a disease. For example, if you had the MMR vaccine to protect against measles, mumps and rubella, a titer blood test will show that you have the antibody for measles, mumps and rubella, and are therefore protected.

Related Content: What age is the MMR vaccine given to fight measles, mumps and rubella?

Since Measles Has Been in the News, There Was Some Concern That Some Adults May Not Be Protected, Even If They Received a Vaccine in the Past. Who Should Be Concerned, and What Do Doctors Recommend They Do?

MMR vaccine has been a hot topic since measles has been seen in our community and around the nation. We have been receiving a lot of questions from our adult population on whether or not this is a vaccine that they need to get; this depends on their vaccination status.

If the patient grew up in Kentucky and went to schools in Kentucky, their vaccination status should be up to date.

If the patient is not sure and would like to be checked for their immune status, this can be done with blood draws in the office for titers.

Is There a Recommended Vaccine Schedule for Adults? If So, Where Can I Find It?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a recommended adult vaccination schedule that includes guidelines for the flu vaccine, Tdap, MMR and others. You can find the adult vaccine schedule here, or ask your primary care provider.

The post Adult vaccines: How to know if you’re protected appeared first on Norton Healthcare.