Fighting the Flu

DECEMBER 2019 | FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

An Independent Supplement by Mediaplanet to USA Today

FIGHTING THE FLU Here’s what you should have in your fluseason toolkit Learn about the importance of vaccination during flu season

Online

Read Dr. Oz’s tips for steering clear of the flu virus

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A SORE THROAT. † Source: IRI Data Total Units Sold Ending 7/14/19, Multi-outlet + Convenience.

†

Use as directed.

The Past, Present, and Future of Influenza

A

Dr. Nancy Messonnier Director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (CDC)

s we move into the new year, I want to share with you how we’re working every day to fight seasonal flu, how our seasonal flu work prepares us for a future pandemic, and ask you to help support seasonal flu vaccination efforts now.

Each year in the United States, flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, and thousands or tens of thousands of deaths. Pandemic flu is less predictable but equally certain. Though less catastrophic than the 1918 pandemic, flu pandemics also occurred in 1957, 1968, and 2009. The way flu viruses constantly change and their ability to jump from animals to people makes it inevitable that another pandemic will occur.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is on the forefront of the fight against flu, working each year to hone our ability to prevent disease and death caused by seasonal flu viruses and at the same time to prepare for the ever-present threat that a novel flu virus will emerge to trigger the next pandemic. CDC’s annual flu prevention and control efforts include: • A global network that monitors flu viruses so that we know what and where

viruses are spreading and what kind of illness they are causing, and helps us decide which viruses to use for vaccine production.

• State-of-the-art laboratory science that is used to study flu viruses to understand their characteristics so that we can better fight them.

• Continuous work on testing and diagnostic tools that are distributed to state, local, territorial, and international laboratories so they can detect and characterize flu viruses.

• Ongoing efforts to improve existing flu prevention and control measures, including better vaccines and better drugs to treat flu illness.

These activities are the foundation for a robust flu pandemic response. While we might not know when the next pandemic will happen, we know that the single best thing you can do to fight flu is to take time to get a flu vaccine for yourself, your children, and your parents. Once vaccinated, you can enjoy this holiday season knowing that you have taken the single best step to protect yourself and your loved ones against the flu. n

Publisher Kevin Duke Business Developer Mac Harris Managing Director Luciana Olson Lead Designer Tiffany Pryor Designer Kayla Mendez Lead Editor Mina Fanous Copy Editor Kathleen Walsh Director of Sales Shannon Ruggiero Director of Business Development Jourdan Snyder Director of Product Faye Godfrey Content Strategist Vanessa Rodriguez Cover Photo Tiffany Pryor All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise specified. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today.

FOLLOW US: @MEDIAPLANETUSA

2 • FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

INQUIRIES: US.EDITORIAL@MEDIAPLANET.COM AND US.ADVERTISE@MEDIAPLANET.COM

PLEASE RECYCLE

MEDIAPLANET

You don’t need big money to fight big germs.

Your Health,

ª

Available exclusively at www.DollarTree.com

EA

One Woman’s Tragic Story Shows the Real Danger of the Flu PHOTO: MARIAM SAIFAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Upwards of 80,000 people lose their lives to flu every year in the United States, including healthy children and adults. The majority of these people are not vaccinated.

At the age of 35, Kendra MannO’Brien was the picture of health. Three days after her first sign of illness, Mann-O’Brien went to the local urgent care where she was diagnosed with influenza A. The following day she was having difficulty breathing and her chest hurt.

She was rushed to the local hos4 • FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

pital in an ambulance and upon arrival, Mann-O’Brien’s blood oxygen level was dangerously low. She was intubated and admitted to the intensive care unit. Four days later, she developed sepsis, which is a common secondary complication of flu.

She was then life-flighted to a larger hospital where she was put on an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine to keep her heart and lungs functioning. Some of the complications of Mann-O’Brien’s influenza even required surgery.

Despite life-saving efforts

and a month-long hospital stay, Mann-O’Brien’s condition continued to deteriorate, and she passed away.

Mann-O’Brien is survived by her parents, her husband, and her two young children. Her mother, Joan, now uses MannO’Brien’s story to educate others on the seriousness of the flu. She wants others to know that everyone is at risk from the flu, and annual flu vaccination is the best defense against the flu and its associated complications. Every year, Joan makes sure her family, including her

two grandchildren, receive an annual flu vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everyone 6 months of age and older receive an annual flu vaccine. An annual flu vaccine helps protect against flu-related illness, hospitalization, and death — and keeps the illness from spreading to others.

It’s not too late to vaccinate, so let’s all do our part to help protect public health. n Serese Marotta, Chief Operating Officer, Families Fighting Flu

The Essential Flu Survival Kit The flu is nobody’s idea of a good time, but a few products make being sick just a little less miserable.

Top Ramen Bowl

Convenient, microwavable Top Ramen Bowls won't cure the flu. It only feels that way. nissinfoods.com

Carmex Lip Balm

Trusted for over 80 years, turn to Carmex lip balm to keep your lips moisturized this flu season. Available in a jar, tube, or stick at most retailers including Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, and Target. mycarmex.com

Assured™ Multi-Symptom NiteTime Liquid Capsules

NiteTime liquid capsules contain an antihistamine, cough suppressant, pain reliever, and a fever reducer to offer relief from cough, sore throat, runny nose, fever, headache, minor aches/pains, and sneezing. dollartree.com

Assured™ 12-Hour Nasal Relief Spray

Fast, powerful nasal congestion relief in a long lasting 12-hour formula. Anti-drip pump mist helps prevent dripping from nose or throat to provide lasting relief. The perfect companion to the common cold, hay fever, and upper respiratory allergies. dollartree.com

Keep Kids Safe From Accidental Poisoning This Flu Season It’s easy for curious kids to get into the meds during flu season.

Here’s how to keep them safe.

It’s that time of year when coughs, colds, and the flu are circulating. But parents have more to worry about than a case of the sniffles.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 60,000 young children end up in emergency rooms each year because they accidentally got into medicines that were left within their reach. It’s all too easy for parents who are busy wiping noses, taking temperatures, and caring for their kids to forget to put medicines up and away between doses.

But even sick kids can be curious. Keep your medicines and vitamins out of children’s sight and reach to prevent a frantic call to Poison Control or a trip to the emergency room.

Here are four important steps to keeping your family safe this cold and flu season: Teach your children about medicine Teaching children about medicine is an important first step in making sure they know it is not a toy or candy. Tell children what medicine is and how it helps them feel better, but only when given by a parent or caregiver. And remind children that different people take different medicines — their siblings’ meds are not for them.

Use safe medicine dosing practices Always follow the dosing instructions on the package and be sure to only use the dosing device that comes with the medicine.

Store all medicines up and away Keeping medicine within easy reach for parents too often means it’s also within easy reach for children. Even between doses, store medicines up and away in a safe location that is too high for young children to reach or see.

Know the Poison Help line Keep this number handy: 1-800-222-1222.

Make sure that babysitters, older children, and frequent family visitors have the number too, in case there’s an emergency when they’re in charge.

Anita Brikman, Executive Director, CHPA Educational Foundation MEDIAPLANET

• 5

1

The 4 Steps to Quick Flu Recovery

Have your toolkit Keep tissues on hand to clean up and cover your coughs and sneezes. A heap of cozy blankets, hot packs, or a hot water bottle can help keep you warm. Make sure you have a thermometer and check your temperature regularly, and keep contact information for your doctor handy.

2

Hit the pharmacy Stock up on non-prescription medicines including pain relievers, decongestants, fever reducers, cough drops, and anti-diarrheal medications. Vitamins and supplements can also help. Vitamin D can protect against the flu and may help speed up recovery time if you get sick. Omega-3 supplements, as well as foods with omega-3, may protect the lungs. Ginseng supplements may boost immunity, helping the body heal faster. Cough drops are great for relieving a nagging cough or a sore throat.

3

Stock your pantry Hot soup can soothe a raw throat while the probiotics in yogurt may help settle an upset stomach. Bananas are rich in vitamin B6 and magnesium, both of which help you fight fatigue and get strong. Papayas, which have vitamins C and E, may reduce inflammation. Make sure to stay hydrated with water and hot teas.

4

Sanitize for safety Wash hands thoroughly and often with soap and water. Stock up on household cleaners and paper towels so you can wipe down and disinfect surfaces around your home including counters, door handles, and other areas that can get contaminated with germs. Facemasks can also be a good idea to contain germs, especially if you or someone in your family is at high risk of flu complications. n Kristen Castillo

6

•

FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

MEDIAPLANET

New simple and soothing microwaveable Top Ramen Bowls are here!

Find them where you buy The Original Top Ramen. nissinfoods.com/where-to-buy

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A SORE THROAT. FAST ACTING, NUMBS IN SECONDS*

†

†

*as lozenge dissolves

Use as directed.

DELICIOUSLY SOOTHING COMFORT Use as directed.

Source: IRI Data Total Units Sold Ending 7/14/19, Multi-outlet + Convenience.

†

Find Ludenʼs® Throat Drops, Chloraseptic® Throat Spray & Chloraseptic® Lozenges at a retailer near you.