AtlantiCare advises flu shots more important than ever

NanetteG

AtlantiCare advises everyone to get a flu shot this year.

AtlantiCare is urging community members to be flu vaccinated.

Getting a flu shot is more important than ever, said Manish Trivedi, M.D., director of Infectious Diseases at AtlantiCare.

As we continue to take precautions against spread of COVID-19, it is essential that we also take the important steps to prevent flu," he said. Those who have flu could be more at risk of getting COVID, and vice versa. Having flu and/or COVID also puts individuals at higher risk of other serious illnesses.

Including:

Pneumonia

Respiratory failure

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (fluid in lungs)

Sepsis

Cardiac injury (heart attacks and stroke)

Multiple-organ failure (respiratory failure, kidney failure, shock)

Worsening of chronic medical conditions (involving the lungs, heart, nervous system or diabetes)

Inflammation of the heart, brain or muscle tissues

Trivedi said following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines of those six months old and older, being flu vaccinated is the first and most important step.

This is critically important for the very young, seniors, pregnant women, and those who have a compromised immune system and/or other underlying medical condition," he said.

Washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, staying home from work or school if ill, and staying away from others are also still important.

Getting enough sleep, exercising, and maintaining a healthy diet will also help to boost your immunity," Trivedi said.

We are so grateful for everything our community has done to help us prevent spread of COVID-19, said Primary Care Plus Medical Director Mary Ann Yehl, D.O. Our advice continues - don't put off care. Make an appointment with your primary care provider, pediatrician, pharmacist or other healthcare provider to get the 2020/2021 seasonal flu shot. We are prepared to give you the vaccine safely in our offices."

Trivedi said symptoms of flu and COVID-19 may be similar.

This makes it hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Just as we have urged throughout the pandemic, if you or a loved one has symptoms of either, call your healthcare provider to ask for direction.

Symptoms of both viruses include:

Fever or feeling feverish/chills

Cough

Sore throat

Runny or stuffy nose

Muscle or body aches

Headache

Fatigue (tiredness)

Some people might have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults

Loss of smell or taste is also a symptom of COVID-19.

Our urgent care and primary care providers have recognized the positive trend of those with symptoms of viruses and other infectious diseases using our Telehealth services, Yehl added. This contributes to the safety and wellbeing of the individual, healthcare providers and all those in our community.

To make an appointment with an AtlantiCare provider, call 1-888-569-1000 or visit www.atlanticare.org and click on Find a Provider to conveniently book an appointment online.