The Hospital Corner
Protecting Yourself Against the Flu
Guest column by Wanda Carey, BSN, RN, CIC, manager of Infection Control at Norwood Hospital
Flu season has begun in Massachusetts, and with it the need to reacquaint ourselves with the best ways to safeguard ourselves and our loved ones from becoming sick this winter. Flu defined: Flu, or influenza, is a viral disease of the body's respiratory system, including nose, throat and lungs. The most common symptoms include fever, cough and sore throat. They can also include body aches, headache, chills, runny nose and tiredness. Flu can be very serious, each year causing thousands of hospitalizations. Some people are at higher risk of serious health problems when they get the flu, including pregnant women, infants, the elderly and people with medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and weakened immune …
