A medical emergency can trigger anxiety and depression for days, weeks, and even months following an incident. If the persio following the trauma or medical emergency is not addressed, it can results in added stress for the individual whether at work, with family, or in daily activities. 
If you are experiencing anxiety or depression after a medical emergency, it is important to remember that many people in the US suffer from the same condition. Anxiety disorders effect approximately 40 million U.S. adults, and/or approximately 18% of the U.S. population. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illnesses, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). However, anxiety disorders are treatable, and some of the best ways to deal with anxiety after an emergency include:

.1. Relaxation.
After a medical emergency it is often important to relax and take a short break from every day activities to process what happened during the incident. A break may help an individual take a step back from an emergency, clear his or her head and move forward. Simple things can be done such as spending a few minutes practicing yoga or listening to music or planning a weekend getaway or a week-long vacation to help you clear your mind.
2. ​Nutrition.
Th effects of anxiety can plan havoc on eating right and/or even eating at all. It is important to fill your diet with foods that boost energy in order to avoid a potential drop in blood sugar that can cause you to feel jittery. A diet rich in whole grains, vegetables and fruits are ideal. Meanwhile, you should try to avoid simple carbohydrates, limit caffeine and alcohol consumption and stay hydrated. Don’t forget to eat regular meals, too; that way, you can maintain a consistent blood sugar level throughout the day.
3. Physical Fitness.
Research has indicated that regular aerobic exercise reduces tension, improves sleep and boosts self-esteem. Additionally, some research has even indicated that just five minutes of aerobic exercise a day can provide anti-anxiety benefits.
In addition to helping you build strength, stamina and muscle, exercise enables you to fight off anxiety. If you stay physically active, you’ll be able to reduce fatigue, improve your alertness and concentration and boost your overall cognitive function at the same time.
4. Adequate Sleep.
It has been recommend by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) that adults get at least seven hours of sleep per day. If you allow yourself plenty of time to get adequate sleep, it may be possible to avoid the possibility of post-emergency anxiety.
Practicing a relaxing bedtime ritual like reading a book or listening to relaxing music before bed may help you fall asleep. Also, if you exercise daily and avoid naps during the day, you may be able to develop a consistent sleep schedule.
5. Positive Attitude.
Maintaining a positive outlook when experiencing anxiety can often seem impossible. However, there are many simple and yet effective ways to remind yourself of all the positive and good things in your life. For example, placing positive notes or quotes throughout your home. These notes will serve as constant reminders of positive things that bring a smile to your face. In addition, it is critical to do something every day that truly makes you happy.
6. Journaling.
Writing your thoughts in a journal may be beneficial if you are not quite sure of the source of your anxiety or depression. If you write down your thoughts and feelings, seeing these thoughts on paper may allow you to figure out what exactly is triggering your anxiety. 
The goal of a journal entry is to allow you to identity the source of your anxiety and then find ways to work through it. Journal entries can be long or short and can written as frequently as you like. If you feel comfortable with writing your thoughts on paper, this can be an extremely effective way to help alleviate the anxiety after experiencing trauma or a medical crisis.
Experiencing constant anxiety can be difficult for anyone to work through. However, understanding the source of the anxiety and
realizing that it can be dangerous if not addressed can potentially save lives. Although there is not a universal method to overcome anxiety after trauma or a medical emergency, using one or more of the previously mentioned tips may provide adequate coping mechanisms.

If you are looking to get your cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification, it is best to choose a CPR training providers with proven expertise. This allows the individual to become CPR certified quickly while allowing the individual to learn the proper methods to administer life-saving assistance to those suffering sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
Cardiac arrest is an electrical irregularity of the heart which occurs due to a irregular heartbeat. When cardiac arrest occurs, the pumping action of the heart is disrupted which prevents the heart allowing blood to go the brain, lungs, and other organs. This is what causes the cardiac arrest victim to become unresponsive. if the individual does not receive CPR in a few minutes after cardiac arrest then they can die.
The American Heart Association (AHA)  states that cardiac arrest effect greater than 350,000 individuals annually. Further the AHA has reported that the average survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims is 12 percent. The AHA  has additionally indicated that only about one in three cardiac arrest victims survives when a cardiac arrest incident is witnessed by a bystander.
In some situations cardiac arrest can be mistaken for a heart attack. But cardiac arrest and heart attack are two completely different medical emergencies. Unlike cardiac arrest, a heart attack occurs when there is a blockage that prevents blood from flowing to the heart. Subsequently, it is the the heart attack that can lead to cardiac arrest. The heart attack may be further defined as the death of heart muscle tissue as a result of the loss of blood supply.
If your CPR trained, then you will know how to respond to cardiac emergencies. The individual will then have the skills to provide life-saving assistance to increase the cardiac arrest of heart attack victim's chance of survival.

Why Should You Become CPR-Certified?
For the cost of a single CPR class, an individual can contribute greatly to their local community. CPR training provides significant value to individuals of all ages. The training provides the individual with the tools to support emergency care victims until advanced medical personnel have arrived. CPR training can subsequently enable anyone to actually save lives.
A normal CPR training class will provide the student with knowledge regarding the following topics:

• Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions
• Use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) and special considerations
• Identification and aid for conscious and unconscious choking victims

Over the course of a few hours, the student will be provided instruction by a medical professional such as a firefighter, EMT, nurse, or paramedic, who will teach the students about the mentioned topics while also responding to student's questions. The instructor will also provide a combination of hands-on and classroom lessons allowing the students to gain the practical skills necessary to use in a variety of medical emergencies.

Why Should You Choose Help-A-Heart CPR for CPR Training?
When it comes to choosing a CPR class there are a few factors to consider:

• Expertise: The CPR training provider should use instructors with knowledge and expertise who understand how to administer CPR in emergencies and have actually performed CPR in real life.
• Flexibility: The CPR training provider should have CPR classes on different days and at different times throughout the week.
• Reputation: The CPR training provider should have a positive reputation in the community, one that is built on the hard work and dedication of its staff.

CPR classes are available in many locations throughout the United States allowing individuals to locate classes without having to conduct an expansive search. However, it the expertise, flexibility, and reputation of such training center as Help-A-Heart CPR that you should search for.
Help-A-Heart CPR is a top provider of CPR classes in South-Central Texas and San Antonio. while offering a convenient training schedule with weekday and weekend classes. Our CPR classes are also designed for student's of all ages. The classes encourage collaboration and engagement and enable student's to enjoy a dynamic learning experience.
The question is: Can you afford to NOT enroll in a CPR class?. With Help-A-Heart CPR, individuals can receive extensive CPR training while gaining the medical skills needed to offer CPR and/or First Aid assistance to anyone  experiencing cardiac arrest. 
To learn more about Help-A-Heart CPR and our CPR classes, please call us at 210-380-5344.

While most people have some type of first aid kit in their home; many people are lacking a first aid kit in their automobile.
Having a well-stocked and ready-to-use first aid kit is one of the best ways you can prepare for emergencies. Medical emergencies may occur near a car while only makes it that more important to carry a first aid kit with you at all times. First Aid kits can be pre-purchased, however, the ability to customize your first kit yourself is a great advantage.
In this article, we will review the items that you need to keep in the first aid kit in your car.

1. Find a Container to Hold Your First Aid Items. Look for a container or box as opposed to a plastic or paper bag. When purchasing the first aid container also look for one that comes with transparent inner compartments so you can have a clear view of the items inside. Also, look for a light-weight tackle box with handles, and never put a padlock on your kit because you will need to get to it quickly in an emergency.
2. Begin Buying Essential First Aid Items. The following is a list of first aid items that you should always have in the first aid kit in your car:

• Cotton balls
• Cotton swabs
• Vaseline
• A digital thermometer
• Safety pins for closing bandages
• Adhesive tape
• Antibiotic ointment
• Antiseptic and hydrocortisone cream 
• Antihistamine for allergic reactions
• Antiseptic wipes to sanitize your hands
• Aspirin, Ibuprofen, or other pain relieving medication
• Aloe Vera to treat mild burns
• Sunscreen
• Insect bite relief pads
• Adhesive Band-Aids for covering cuts
• Gauze pads for treating wounds
• Tweezers
• Curved scissors
• A needle
• Hand sanitizer
• Saline solution for eye washing or cleaning wounds 

    3. Make Sure You Have Items for Serious Emergencies.  The following are items that you may need to use in medical                  emergencies such as choking, cardiac arrest, drowning, severe allergic reactions, and car accidents.​

• Hot and cold packs
• Synthetic gloves to manage and treat more serious wounds
• A CPR mask for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Epi-Pen for severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
• Bio-hazard bag for disposing contaminated items

Have you thought about being a lifeguard or interested in a summer job working as a lifeguard?
The role of the lifeguard is extremely important as they can truly make a difference. The U.S. Lifesaving Association (USLA) has indicated that the chance that a person will drown while attending a beach protected by a USLA-affiliated lifeguard is 1 in 18 million – or less than 1%. On the contrary, the International Life Saving Federation has stated that approximately 1.2 million people, or more than two people every minute, will die annually due to drowning. These statistics highlight the importance of lifeguards in helping drowning victims and delivering emergency assistance. 

While becoming a lifeguard does have a great deal of responsibility, it is also exciting and rewarding to become part of a team whose job is to allow people to have fun and enjoy their time in the water in a safe fashion.
With that in mind, let's examine three things that prospective lifeguards to become aware of before they actually become lifeguards.

1. Lifeguards Require Extensive Training.
The American Red Cross provides many lifeguard training classes that teach you how to recognize and prevent injuries, rescue skills that are necessary both in water and on land and life-saving first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training. Additionally, the Red Cross requires individuals to be at least 15 years old before enrolling in a lifeguard class. The Red Cross also mandates that individuals pass a pre-course swimming skills test prior to signing up for a lifeguard class. If you intend to become a lifeguard, enroll in the best training available. That way, you can gain the real-world skills that you’ll need to administer critical assistance in emergencies.

2. Lifeguards must be ready to handle a wide range of emergencies.
Lifeguards must be capable of providing support in many types of emergencies, including the following:

• Breathing: In a breathing emergency, a lifeguard is expected to give ventilations, remove airway obstructions and use oxygen  delivery devices.
• Cardiac: A lifeguard will need to know about the cardiac chain of survival, as well as how to assist cardiac arrest and heart attack victims.
• First Aid: A lifeguard must be able to act quickly and effectively to respond to injuries and illnesses. 

3. Being a Lifeguard, everyday is different.
When a lifeguard is on duty, many various things can occur occurring a medical crisis or emergency that requires basic level or advanced medical care. As a lifeguard, it is important to constantly search for ways to always improve and ensure time devoted to maintaining his or her training certifications. Not only does this allow the lifeguard to be consistent with the latest lifesaving techniques, but also exposes the individual to extensive expertise in administering life-saving techniques.
Training programs are available that allow lifeguards to become certified in a number of areas, including:

• Basic First Aid: Teaches individuals how to perform assessments and interventions with minimal to no medical equipment.
• Basic Life Support (BLS): Emphasizes the administration of CPR on adults, children and infants and focuses on the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), how to assist choking victims and other emergency response topics.

Becoming a lifeguard can be extremely rewarding while allowing you to gain experience that will transfer into other positions you have throughout your professional career. Enroll in a life-saving training program today, and you can make that first step to becoming a professional lifeguard.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training is vital for children. If kids can become CPR-certified, it is even possible that CPR training for kids could help decrease the loss of life in a variety of unexpected emergencies.
Here are two real-world examples which emphasize the importance of teaching kids how to administer CPR in emergencies.

1. Niyele Jenkins, a 15-year-old resident of Loveland, Colorado, recently saved her father’s life thanks in large part to the CPR training she received at her high school.
   According to the Reporter-Herald, Arabee Jenkins, Niyele’s father, went to an urgent care facility on Feb. 16. Arabee was diagnosed with strep throat and returned home with antibiotics the same day. However, on Feb. 19, Arabee felt weak at work, and his boss drove him to the emergency room. Arabee received a treatment of fluids and medication and was sent home. Then, on Feb. 20, Arabee woke up feeling ill and eventually became dizzy. He also struggled to breathe, and his body became stiff.
   Lucky for Arabee, Niyele was home. And when Arabee called for help, Niyele was ready to respond. Upon hearing her father, Niyele responded and called her mother, grandmother and 911. Meanwhile, the 911 dispatcher guided Niyele as she administered CPR to her father, who had stopped breathing several times.
   Niyele admitted she was scared to perform CPR techniques on her father, but she did not show it. Instead, she performed CPR chest compressions and rescue breaths on her father until emergency responders arrived at her home.
   Arabee was later diagnosed with sepsis and returned home several days after the incident. He praised his daughter and believes he would not be alive if not for his daughter’s heroic efforts. He also credits Niyele’s high school for providing CPR training to its students and encourages other schools to do the same.
2. In October 2017, Chuck Glover, an assistant track coach at Twinsburg High School in Ohio, suddenly collapsed at a school gym. Glover suffered a massive heart attack; he later told ABC News. Fortunately, 17-year-old high school student and lifeguard Nicole Fruscella was completing her homework near the gym at the time that Glover collapsed. And when Fruscella found out about Glover’s collapse, she was prepared to put her CPR training into action.
   Armed with an automated external defibrillator (AED), Fruscella arrived at the gym less than 3 minutes after Glover collapsed. As a lifeguard, Fruscella received CPR training twice a month and knew exactly how to set up and use the AED, she said. She followed the device’s instructions, and emergency medical services (EMS) professionals arrived on scene shortly thereafter.
   Glover received heart surgery immediately after he arrived at the hospital. He later underwent a second procedure as well.
   Glover points out he feels like Fruscella “was an angel on [his] shoulder” when he collapsed. He says Fruscella is a major reason why he is still alive today. And now, whenever Glover sees Fruscella, he wants to give her a big hug in gratitude for her life-saving efforts.
   It is also important for teachers and educators alike, to tie in safety into their curriculum

Medical emergencies can occur anywhere. They can happen at homes, schools, playgrounds and many other settings. Unfortunately, many bystanders do not know how to respond in a pro-active manner. CPR training for kids not only empowers children to become responsive and aware but also increases their self-confidence in emergency situations.
Through CPR-certification, kids can be the difference between life and death for family members, friends and others.
Parents and kids can receive their CPR certification at the same time if they enroll in classes from Help-A-Heart CPR.
Ou CPR classes are designed for individuals within all age categories and proficiency levels. Our CPR classes are taught by expert instructors who teach classes with a combination of hands-on training and video based modules. The kids received a CPR certification which is valid for two years.
To find out more about our CPR training classes, please contact us today at 210-380-5344.

A recent survey conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Survey of Occupational Illnesses and Injuries in 2014 revealed that approximately 3 million non-fatal injuries and illnesses affected private industry workers and 722,000 impacted state and local government workers. Subsequently, accidents and illness can occur anywhere and if this happens in the workplace this can ultimately effect productivity and the "bottom line" for organizations.
Here are a few ways to improve office safety. These include:

1. Take the initiative if something is inoperative. If an office chair breaks or a stairwell light goes out, employees should not hesitate to inform their employers. Meanwhile, employers should act immediately to respond to workers’ on-the-job safety concerns.
2. Provide regular comprehensive safety training. Education and implementing awareness exhibits a major role in workplace safety. If employers develop effective office safety training programs and update their programs regularly, these employers can teach workers how to identify and address on-the-job dangers faster than ever before.
3. Host monthly meetings. Provide a regular opportunity for employees to share ideas and express concerns regarding workplace safety concerns. Not only are monthly employee meeting a stellar time to gather feedback but they also allow employee to share progress and management can convey updates and any changes to safety protocol. 

Ensure that the workplace has the following tools:

1. Fire Extinguisher: Employees must act quickly to minimize damage if a fire does occur. A properly placed and working fire extinguisher can allow employees to work fast to diffuse a fire. Fire extinguishers should be in locations that are easy to find and management should also ensure that all employees can locate these extinguishers.
2. First Aid Kit: Every workplace should have a first aid kit that includes bandages, cold packs, disinfectants and other first aid items. The first aid kit is a necessity in the event that a workplace emergency medical crisis does occur allowing employees to provide immediate assistance until advanced medical personnel arrive on scene.
3. Ergonomic Supplies: Is your workplace chair uncomfortable or your desk too high? The typical office chair or desk may be inadequate, as either of these items may cause employees to suffer carpal tunnel and back and neck pain over Through utilizing ergonomic supplies, an employer can allow employees to remain comfortable as they perform day-to-day tasks, while also minimizing the risk of long-term injuries.
4. Warning Signs: A bathroom that has moisture on the floor can be dangerous with just one step possibly leading to long-term injury or medical emergency. Workplace warning signs and placards are easy to set up and can be used to allow employees to identify trip and fall hazards.
5. Flashlights: Is it important for employees to locate one another and emergency equipment in the event that it is dark and/or if a power outage occurs. Flashlights are a critical asset to a safe atmosphere in the workplace. Employers should try to have plenty of batteries available to ensure these flashlights will remain operational and usable in power outages and other emergencies.
   

The effect of workplace safety can have a long term impact on an organization. Organizations can benefit from optimizing workplace safety by providing employees with on-site cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This training emphasizes adult, child, and infant CPR, how to properly use an automatic external defibrillator, and how to assist conscious and unconscious choking victims as well as other emergency situations.  
To learn more about our CPR classes, please contact us at 210-380-5344.

Taking an advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) class not only provides you with that extra knowledge to treat cardiac arrest and other life threatening medical emergencies but also provides new career opportunities. Taking an ACLS course is perfect for any healthcare provider or medical professional that wants to know how to respond in a medical emergency.
A few of the reasons that taking the ACLS course is critical include the following:

AN ACLS CERTIFICATION GIVES YOU A VITAL CERTIFICATION TO ADD TO YOU RESUME.
For those individuals interested in the nursing profession, the ACLS certification will provide you with the skills and knowledge to work in an emergency department, intensive care or cardiac care unit. With ACLS not only do you learn what medications to give a patient during a resuscitation, when and how to use the defibrillator and more; but how to identify life threatening conditions. An ACLS certification provides you as a nurse with the ability to help patients manage acute coronary syndrome and stroke. The ACLS class also teaches nurses to be a leader as well as a member of a team in a resuscitation scenario.

THE ACLS CLASS PROVIDES EXTENSIVE TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE. 
The ACLS class provides entry level nurses with extensive knowledge they can use in their interactions with patients while allowing them to move closer to their career goals as a healthcare provider. ACLS training not only provides comprehensive technical knowledge they can use to deliver high-quality patient care but also ensures that the healthcare providers knows how to use the advanced equipment while understanding things such as waveform capnography and how and when to initiate targeted temperature management. Whether in the hospital, urgent care clinic or emergency room the ACLS class will reiterate important emergency medicine terminology and ensure that the healthcare provider can deliver exceptional care.

TAKING THE ACLS CLASS ALLOWS YOU TO STAND OUT IN A GROWING INDUSTRY.
The percentage of nurses entering the workforce is expected to increase while the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has indicated that the number of registered nursing jobs will increase by 16 percent between 2015 and 2025. A few reasons for the rate of increase is due to increasing chronic conditions such as diabetes and stroke as well as the demand of healthcare by the Baby Boomer generation. Consequently the ACLS certification is highly valuable for soon-to-be nurses as it allows them to stand out within a fast growing job market. With the ACLS certification the healthcare provider will be capable of drastically increasing their chances to get their dream job while also increasing their salary as opposed to those that may not have their ACLS certification.


REFLECTS YOUR INTEREST IN LEARNING AND CONTINUING EDUCATION. 
As a nurse or healthcare provider, it is critical to continue to learn and take the required time to invest in resources to obtain such things as your ACLS certification. Not only does this initiative show that you are willing to take the extra time to discover new ways to better assist patients but ACLS training is easily accessible. Help-A-Heart CPR provides ACLS certification to qualified healthcare providers at is training center in San Antonio as well as multiple off-site locations throughout Texas. Help-A-Heart CPR offers two versions of its ACLS course: one that is instructor led in the classroom and a second that includes an extensive portion completed online and then skills testing at their training center. Consequently, Help-A-Hear CPR provides that extra flexibilty allowing you the student to become ACLS certified on your own time.

Are you reading to become ACLS certified? Contact Help-A-Heart CPR at 210-380-5344 or visit its website to learn more about the ACLS certification course.

With the winter season now upon us, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has indicated that each year approximately 150,000 people seek medical treatment following a snowboarding or skiing mishap. Unfortunately, even a minor winter sporting activity can develop into a long-term issue for someone that likes to ski or snowboard. Fortunately, knowledge of some of these common Winter sporting activities can allow treatment of these issues in an effective manner. Prevention of these injuries is also possible.

1. Ankle Sprains. Ankle sprains can occur for various reasons such as incorrect snowboard boots or ski bindings. This may cause the individual to use the ankle excessively and then fall or suffer a sprain to the ankle. A bad jump may also cause the individual to inadvertently place too much pressure on the ankle joint and bones of the foot resulting in an ankle sprain. Treatment for an ankle sprain includes compression of the injury to reduce the swelling. The individual should also perform regular ankle exercises while using a support for the ankle until the ankle is fully recovered.
2. Spinal Injury. An injury to the spine occurs when there is any damage to the vertebrae which may result in changes in sensation and strength to the areas of the body below the site of the injury. Many skiers and snowboarders suffer spinal injuries due to jumping and subsequent falls. If an individual experiences any back pain that is excruciating, body paralysis or numbness and weakness in the extremities such as hands, feet or toes, then the individual may be experiencing a spinal injury. When a spinal injury occurs, immediate medical attention is needed. Time is of the essence between the moment the injury occurs and treatment is received. Subsequently, the extent of the injury and the time of recovery is dependent on the immediacy of treatment received.
3. Head Injury. The speed at which many winter sporting activities also result in collisions and falls that may or may no result in a head injury. Regardless,all head injuries require immediate medical attention. While minor head injuries may only require stitches, more serious head injuries involving a lack of coordination or light-headedness may require more intensive occupation or physical therapy as well as initial monitoring.
4. Hand or Wrist Injury. The hands and wrists are used constantly when involved in winter sports. For example, a minor slip or fall may cause the skier or snowboarded to extended their hands in order to alleviate the severity of the fall. This extension of their hand may result in a break or sprain to the hand and/or wrist. A hand or wrist injury may result in increasing pain, swelling, tenderness and bruising, and other symptoms. In the event of a hand or wrist injury, an individual should try to refrain from using the hand or wrist for a few days and then apply ice to the injury. In various and more extreme cases, anti-inflammatory medication should be used as a preventative and treatment measure to help with the pain and swelling associated with the injury to the hand or wrist.

Prevention Tips For Winter Sports Injuries
A few effective ways to reduce the injuries received when involved in winter sports include the following:

1. Verify that the snowboard or ski bindings are not excessively loose or too tight.
2. Stay on skiing or snowboard trails that match your skill level.

Some of the best ways to reduce the risk of snow sports injuries include:

1. Ensure ski or snowboard bindings are not too loose or too tight.
2. Ski or snowboard on trails that fall in line with your skill level.
3. Continuously drink fluids throughout your activity.
4. End your activity if you begin to feel too tired and/or become too cold.

It is also extremely helpful to become familiar with various preventative and treatment measures by enrolling in a first aid course.
Enrollment in a basic first aid training course is beneficial for anyone involved in winter sporting activities as it empowers the individual with basic lifesaving skills that can be used to help facilitate treatment of winter sports injuries.

Flu season is here. Did you prepared? Let's look at a few questions surrounding the flu and its impact on people not only in Texas but across the United States.

WHAT IS THE FLU?
The flu is a contagious respiratory disease. With the flu, the upper and lower portions of the respiratory tract are attacked by the virus. People are often more susceptible to the flu during the Fall and Spring. During these seasons, the flu is easily transmitted from one person to another. For example, a person who handles items contaminated by someone who has the flu virus may be exposed to flu germs. In this scenario, a flu virus infection may then occur.
The flu virus affects men, women and children, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation reports between 5% and 20% of the U.S. population gets the flu annually. Further, the CDC Foundation notes tens of thousands of people are hospitalized due to the flu virus each year, and thousands of people die annually due to flu-related illnesses.

WHAT ARE SOME SYMPTOMS OF THE FLU?
Some common flu symptoms include the following:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Headaches
• Body or muscle aches
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Runny or stuffy nose

​HOW CAN I TREAT THE FLU?
If a person believes they are fighting a flu virus, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs may help flu like symptoms to quickly subside and/or may prevent any further flu symptoms. Oral or nasal decongestants often help those with swelling of the nasal passages. In addition, people who are experiencing sneezing related to the flu or nasal discharge can use an antihistamine to help relieve these issues. The use of antiviral drugs may also help a person overcome his or her flu symptoms. These drugs are designed to reduce the severity and duration of flu symptoms. In some instances, they may help a person prevent flu symptoms as well. For those seeking optimal care, a consultation with a doctor allows an individual to receive expert insights into his or her flu symptoms. Best of all, a doctor can help a person determine which OTC or antiviral drugs or other flu treatments to use and ensure that these treatments won’t interfere with an individual’s current medications.

​WHAT CAN I DO TO LIMIT THE RISK OF CROSS CONTAMINATION AND/OR INFECTION?
The flu virus can progress rapidly and can effect anyone but there are several precautions that we can use. 

Wash Your Hands Frequently: Use soap and clean running water to wash your hands regularly throughout the day for 20 seconds at a time. Also, if soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand rub to clean your hands.
Keep Your Hands Away From Your Face: Touching your eyes, biting your fingernails and other activities that involve your nose, eyes and mouth may cause flu germs to spread. Therefore, you should try to keep your hands away from your nose, eyes and mouth whenever possible.
Get The Flu Shot: Annual flu vaccines are available at pharmacies and medical treatment centers nationwide. You may even be eligible to receive a yearly flu shot free of charge.
Disinfect Contaminated Surfaces: Perform regular home and office cleaning. That way, you can clean and disinfect surfaces that otherwise may be contaminated with flu germs.
Get Plenty of Rest: Sleep allow the body to heal and to combat infection. 
Try To Avoid People Who Are Sick: This can be difficult. But if possible, if a friend or fellow employee is experiencing flu-like symptoms then you should avoid this individual for the time being.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking lots of water and other fluids can help boost the immune system as well prevent headaches.
Follow Your Physician's Order: Consult with a doctor to determine the most effective method to treat the flu symptoms.

During this year's flu season, take extra precautions to stay healthy. Be well.