"Don't Let the Bugs Bite!" ~ Living with HIV in the Philippines

"Don't Let the Bugs Bite!"

Posted by Pozziepinoy on 9:14 AM

HIV weakens our immune system and makes us very vulnerable to any kind of infections. So all of us, PLHIV's should always be on the guard with all the "bugs" around us. It is either we avoid exposure or just fortify ourselves so that we don't get them.

It is the flu season again. In the Philippines, because of the changing weather, there are a lot of reported cases of colds and flu. In the United States, according to CDC’s latest FluView report, influenza activity continues to increase and most of the US is now experiencing high levels of influenza-like-illness (ILI). CDC continues to recommend influenza vaccination for people who have not yet been vaccinated this season and antiviral treatment as early as possible for people who get sick and are at high risk of flu complications. In Beijing, China, Flu cases are at their highest level in five years and the H1N1 strain has become the most dominant, the city's Centre for Disese Control and Prevention reported. The rise in cases corresponds with weeks of record low temperatures in Beijing and across much of China.

So what can we do to fight the flu?

According to the CDC Report, there are 3 ways to fight it:

Take time to get a flu vaccine.

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.
While there are many different flu viruses, a flu vaccine protects against the three viruses that research suggests will be most common.
Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine as soon as the current season's vaccines are available.
Vaccination of high risk persons is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness.

People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart, and lung disease and people 65 years and older.

Vaccination also is important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for high risk people to keep from spreading flu to high risk people.

Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for them should be vaccinated instead.

Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs.

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them

Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them.

If you get the flu, antiviral drugs can treat your illness.
Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics. They are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) and are not available over-the-counter.
Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
For people with high risk factors, treatment with an antiviral drug can mean the difference between having a milder illness versus a very serious illness that could result in a hospital stay.
Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started within 2 days of getting sick, but starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the sick person has a high-risk health or is very sick from the flu. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking this drug.
Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.