Flu season is always a time to be extra cautious when it comes to protecting your family from winter time germs. This is especially true for young children, infants and elderly family members. While those with compromised immune systems and those with chronic illnesses are more likely to have severe cases of the flu, a perfectly healthy person can also be susceptible.

Healthy people may not always actually “get” the flu but they are often carriers spreading the illness to their children, spouses, co-workers and anyone that they come in contact with. This is why it is so important that everyone be vaccinated to not only protect themselves from the flu but also to protect the ones around them.

In years past, the swine flu, or H1N1, has raised concerns among the CDC and caused a frenzy of people in line for the vaccine. In 2012, the swine flu will still be a cause for concern but scientists have their eyes on another possible epidemic. According to recent reports, the swine flu and seasonal flu are beginning to intermingle. This has raised concerns that a new strain of flu may be underway.

At this time there is no new vaccine, however, the CDC watches with a waiting eye to see if anything occurs from this possible complication. As of now the CDC is recommending that everyone be vaccinated for both the swine flu and the seasonal flu.

While there is no special vaccine to ward off this possible new strain, you can exercise good hygiene and smart tips to further protect yourself and your family from the 2012 flu.

– Exercise good hand washing. Germ X and portable hand sanitizer is a great way to stay safe on the go.

– Cover your mouth when coughing

– Remind your children to not share the same drink with their friends

– Take plenty of vitamin c to boost your immune system. Vitamin c gummy vitamins are great for kids, while Emergen-c is excellent for adults as it packs a punch of excessive but healthy amounts of the c vitamin.

Now let’s discuss a few symptoms of the flu. Often times, people confuse the flu with a really bad cold. While there is only one way to determine if you have the flu or cold (by having your doctor preform a test), there are a few signs that your cold might be the flu instead.

– Body aches aren’t common with the common cold. Flu aches can be mild to quite severe depending on how bad you have the virus and what your immunity is to the illness.

– Chills are another indication of the flu. Chills are not common with cold but can occur in other viruses that aren’t considered a flu strain.

– Coughing tends to be universal in both flu and cold, though a flu cough is often a dry, hacking cough as opposed to a cold’s productive, phlegmy cough.

– Headaches are a major downfall of flues and are often more severe than a sinus headache that comes along with the common cold.

As the flu season approaches, take care to educate your family about staying healthy. It is a great way to instill a lifelong love of staying healthy and fit. If you are having trouble finding the flu vaccination in stock in your area and you fall into one of the special groups such as young children, those with chronic illness such as infection, are pregnant or elderly, you may be able to get on a special list that allows you to get your shot before the rest of the community.

Influenza 2012

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Author Bio: Influenza 2012

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