" If you’ve been watching the news lately, you’ve no doubt heard that the flu is sweeping the country this year. In fact, for the first time in 13 years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that the entire contiguous United States, excluding Washington DC, is showing widespread flu at one time! Getting a flu shot is a great way to protect yourself from a nasty illness, and for some at-risk ...
" The influenza virus, commonly known as the flu, varies from year to year, both in terms of what type of flu is most common and how hard it hits various geographic locations. This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, is reporting widespread activity in nearly all parts of the United States. Gathering Data The weekly influenza surveillance report takes a snapshot of the flu and influenza-like illness (ILI) activity each week. The ...
" Most years, the terms “flu season” and “flu shot” are viewed as a pesky seasonal rite of passage, a nuisance, another thing on your to-do list. But this year, the virulent H3N2 virus — which has been circulating for 50 years and dubbed the “Hong Kong flu” — is getting peoples’ attention. The 2017–2018 flu season epidemic is expected to kill more than 50,000 people of all ages, many of whom appeared healthy “just a ...
" A drip, a scratch, a-choo, a stuffy nose and a cough. These are the tell-tale signs of the most common ailment in the world — the common cold. Between the drier air outside, which may make your nose drier and more vulnerable to a viral infection, and people spending more time together inside — whether at home, school or daycare — this is definitely the time of year cold season kicks into high gear, especially in children. In ...
" Giving your child cough medicine seems like a natural and smart decision, and it is. You hear your little one coughing like they have the plague, and so you grab whatever you can find in the cabinet, whip out a spoon and tell your child to open wide. But be careful — you might be about to make things worse. Before you start pouring the medicine into a spoon or serving cup, even though it may ...
" The much-dreaded flu season is here, which means it’s time to protect yourself against the virus and common myths that surround it. Every year these misconceptions surface and spread, well, like a virus. Flu myths such as these are equally as harmful as they are false, so don’t let misinformation about the flu and the preventative vaccine blind you from the truth! Instead, turn to the physicians you trust at American Family Care ...
" ‘Tis the season . . . don’t worry: we know that the holidays have passed, but flu season is still in full swing! In fact, it is reported that during in the 2017-2018 season flu activity has been greater than in prior years. That’s why it’s critical for people to be on the lookout for flu signs and symptoms. Obviously, our goal at American Family Care is to help everyone stay healthy and avoid the ...
" As we inch toward the new year, American Family Care physicians have been talking with patients about lifestyle changes that can help them feel healthier. It probably comes as no surprise that these discussions mirror some of the top New Year’s resolutions — eating better, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking to name a few! But, even as we address these topics, we recognize that big life changes aren’t always easy. Most people start out ...
" Winter sports are fun but not always the safest activities. If you imagine yourself careening down a hill towards another skier or skating on the rink and then getting nailed by a hockey puck – well, you can probably see how and why plenty of cold-weather athletes wind up seeing a doctor unexpectedly. And you don’t have to imagine. Statistics make it clear how dangerous winter sports can be. According to the U.S. Consumer ...
" Parents are being warned that their sweet little angels may actually be the face behind the flu. For a number of reasons, young children are generally more likely to spread the virus than are adults. Children usually have more contact with others, are undeniable germ magnets and tend have weaker immune systems, making them easy targets for the ruthless influenza virus. In addition to their natural susceptibility, only one in four children receives an annual ...
