Preventing Illness
Preventing yourself from getting sick is the best course of action. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, wash your hands often, and–most importantly–avoid people who are sick. This could mean talking to your supervisor about working from home more as the weather turns, or even just trying some immune-boosting habits.
Getting plenty of sleep allows your body to repair itself, and can help you fight infections. Lowering stress is also important when it comes to avoiding sickness, as long-term stress can impact your immune system. Eating a healthy diet with Vitamin C can also help your immune system fight off colds and other illnesses.
If you’re interested in the flu shot, that could be an option, too. Flu shots have been given to millions of pregnant women over the years with a good safety record, according to the CDC (Centers of Disease Control and Prevention). They recommend flu shots for pregnant women in any trimester of their pregnancy, though safety data are limited for those in the first trimester. The flu shot may help you from getting certain strains of the flu.
Treatment
If you do happen to fall ill, it’s important to act quickly. Call your doctor as soon as you feel sick, and follow their instructions. If you have asthma, diabetes (including gestational diabetes), or heart disease, you may be at risk of more serious flu complications.
Symptoms to watch out for include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. You may also experience vomiting or diarrhea.
If you’re looking for more information on how to keep yourself healthy this winter, call us today at (941) 745-5115 to schedule a consultation.
