Preparing for Flu and Covid Season

Embracing flu season, now COVID season, and keeping in mind that COVID can turn into Long COVID, in this blog, we'll discuss integrating preventive measures, maintaining good hygiene, and practicing self-care. As we delve into these topics, our goal is to provide you with valuable information that keeps you informed.

Here are some suggestions to help you maintain your optimal well-being and vibrant health:

• Boost Your Vitamins: Consider Vitamin C-packed fruits or supplements such as vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc to strengthen your body's natural defenses.
• Stay Hydrated: Maintain your water intake, drink warm herbal teas or broths.
• Mindful Quarantining: In the spirit of taking care of not only us but for others, be thoughtful. If feeling under the weather, take time to rest and recover.
• Practice Good Hand Hygiene: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Avoid touching your face.
• Clean and Disinfect: Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Ensure adequate sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours a night.
• Boost Your Immune System: Manage stress through techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and exercise.
• Keep COVID and flu tests on hand for self-testing to determine whether you have COVID or the flu and seek appropriate medical attention. Both are contagious. 

As we navigate the challenges of the flu season, it's vital to remain informed and proactive in our health practices. Flu prevention remains a cornerstone of winter wellness. In this evolving health landscape, another concern that demands our attention is the emergence of Long COVID. This condition, characterized by prolonged symptoms even after recovering from the acute phase of COVID, is becoming increasingly prevalent. As we continue our journey to understand and address it, keeping ourselves educated on its developments is equally as essential as our vigilance during the flu season.

What is Long COVID? 

Amidst our commitment to flu prevention and winter wellness, we must also address the growing concern of Long COVID, which presents persistent symptoms even after recovering from the acute phase of COVID. This dual focus on flu prevention and Long COVID awareness is paramount to our overall health and well-being. Long COVID, also known as Post-COVID Conditions (PCC), is a phenomenon experienced by some individuals who have previously contracted the COVID virus. It encompasses a wide range of signs, symptoms, and conditions that persist or emerge after the acute phase of COVID infection. This definition has been meticulously developed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in collaboration with the CDC and other esteemed partners. 

Long COVID has been given various names, including long-haul COVID, post-acute COVID-19, long-term effects of COVID, chronic COVID, and post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), which refers to a subset of Long COVID. 

Signs and Symptoms of Long COVID:  

• Fatigue 
• Shortness of breath 
• Chest pain or tightness.
• Joint pain, muscle aches, or weakness.
• Brain fog: Difficulty with clear thinking, concentration, or memory.
• Loss of taste or smell: These symptoms may persist or return intermittently.
• Heart palpitations: Sensations of a racing, pounding, or irregular heartbeat.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness, fevers.
• Neurological symptoms: Numbness, tingling, or a pins-and-needles sensation. 

Given the overlap of these symptoms with other medical conditions, a comprehensive medical evaluation is essential. If you suspect Long COVID symptoms, we advise seeking professional medical advice. 

How to treat Long COVID: There is no specific treatment for Long COVID yet. You and your healthcare provider can work together to create a personal care plan to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. 

Here are some helpful tools available to help people cope with Long COVID and get the health and social support they need.