Spring is in the air, and the flu is in the Northeast: How to stay healthy
(BPT) – Although the peak of cold, cough and flu season may have ended, this spring brings a second spike of flu activity to the Northeast region, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In fact, the recent activity, measured in the number of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) incidents for the week ending Saturday, April 19 shows a spike in both the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions, according to the IMS Health Flu Activation Network (FAN). In New England, there were 84,376 reported cases, which is 67 percent more than the same week last year. In the Mid-Atlantic, there were 383,588 reported cases – a 225.4 percent increase from the same week last year.
Nurse Barb Dehn, a nurse practitioner and a Vicks spokesperson, has partnered up with Vicks DayQuil Severe and NyQuil Severe to provide suggestions on how to help fight this spring’s worst cold and flu symptoms:
* Fight fever with fluids. Liquids are the ultimate defense for a bad fever. Sufferers are encouraged to drink at least two to three additional ounces of fluid every hour. Water is your best ally in this situation, but non-carbonated sports drinks can be a great substitute.
* Just relax. Studies have shown that elevated levels of stress can have negative effects on your immune system. If you start to feel sick, try to take a moment to relax and reduce stress. This relaxation time can help you cope with symptoms.
* Elevate your head. Congested sinuses and post nasal drip can lead to difficulty breathing, especially when lying flat. Here’s a trick from the ICU: put extra pillows under the mattress to elevate the head of the bed. The increased angle will help drain your head and relieve sinus pressure.
* Take a tough multi-symptom medication. It is important to look to a medication that can treat the toughest symptoms at once. Vicks DayQuil Severe and NyQuil Severe contain maximum strength active ingredients and offer an over-the-counter solution for your worst cold symptoms. To help people power through their worst flu symptoms during the day, Vicks DayQuil Severe relieves aches, fever, sore throat, nasal/sinus congestion and pressure, cough, and chest congestion. And to get the rest needed at night, Vicks NyQuil Severe will relieve aches, fever, sore throat, nasal/sinus congestion and pressure, sneezing, running nose, and cough.
For more information, visit www.vicks.com.
