If you’ve been worried about your health this year, you’re not alone. Many residents of Arcadia and elsewhere have been focusing a good deal of effort on minimizing the spread of COVID-19 in their homes, workplaces, and communities. Health officials are saluting everyone who takes this seriously and takes adequate precautions.

But it’s also important, whether you’re in good health or receiving 24-hour care, to take steps to reduce the risk of other possible infections that are still out there this time of year, even if COVID is getting the headlines.

The team at Accredited Home Care is glad to educate our clients, their families, and even our staff about what they can do to reduce the risk of contracting COVID and other infections, and luckily, many of these guidelines are quite similar.

• Make sure your immune system stays strong (vitamins/nutrition, exercise, sleep, and sunlight can all help.)
• Avoid large groups.
• Wear a mask around others especially when you’ll be within droplet range.
• Consider wearing gloves or using wipes to avoid contaminated surfaces.
• Cover your coughs.
• Get groceries delivered.
• Stay away from people who are infected.

Washing your hands frequently or using hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available are also great recommendations. (Visit the official page for National Handwashing Awareness Week to learn more about this annual December commemoration and the many ways you can practice better personal hygiene.)

One vital precaution you can take, especially if you’re age 65 or over, is to make sure to get a flu vaccine this year.

This is recommended annually for every age, but there’s even more emphasis on it this year especially for seniors.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this age group is considered high-risk. They’re more likely to contract versions of the flu, they could have more symptoms when they have it,  it could take them longer to recover, and they’re more likely to have complications after the actual flu goes away, such as pneumonia, sinus infections or lung infections.

Since seniors are more likely to be hit hard by the flu, they’re more likely to be hospitalized, which could make them even more susceptible to infection and weaken their immune system and increase the odds of the flu being fatal.

The CDC estimates that 70-85 percent of total flu-related deaths each year are those who are age 65 or older, and 50-70 percent of flu-related hospitalizations are from people in this age range.

So in this context, an annual flu shot can be thought of as a useful tool to reduce the risk of any infection. People who have received a current flu vaccine will have fewer odds of contracting it, they may recover sooner and may not have especially severe conditions during or after the flu.

And because COVID-19 has similar symptoms and can hit seniors just as hard or even harder than the flu, a flu vaccine might offer some defense against complications that could weaken the immune system if someone is exposed to both, especially since there’s no COVID vaccination yet.

Learning more about vaccines

The CDC offers a variety of online resources to help people learn more about vaccine options or to educate others.

This month includes National Influenza Vaccination Week, an opportunity to encourage the community to get some of their questions answered or misconceptions responded to, especially for those with fear of side effects.

It’s also an opportunity to learn about the different options for seniors.

Some years, seniors may receive a nasal injection, which provides a puff into the nose that’s easy to absorb. This year, the CDC recommends an actual injection.

Many providers suggest a vaccine called Fluzone that includes what’s called the high-dose trivalent. It has been designed to offer four times the amount of a certain antigen to better protect the immune system in general as well as defend against two strains of influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2) plus influenza B.

Another vaccine, FLUAD, also includes an ingredient called adjuvant which is intended to boost the body’s immune response.

The strains are built using elements of some of the strains from the previous year but in small, harmless amounts.

People considering a flu vaccine should talk to their primary health care provider for his or her recommendations first on what type of vaccine might work better based on their medical history.  The provider also may recommend other vaccines such as ones to lower the risk of pneumonia or meningitis, since

Experiencing minor side effects right after the flu vaccine is administered is fairly common, such as muscle aches and tenderness near the injection area. These flu-like symptoms generally are gone with 24-48 hours. Full immunization generally kicks in by two weeks.

If you do contract the flu, having the vaccine may help. A provider may also prescribe a treatment of antiviral drugs, but these are recommended within 48 hours of showing symptoms.