This year’s flu season has started early in the La Quinta, Indian Wells, Palm Desert, and Rancho Mirage area and if you haven’t gotten it yet, chances are you will. The first few hours are critical in getting treatment, but how do you know if you just have an allergy, cold, the onset of the flu or COVID-19?
| Symptom | COVID-19 | Flu | Allergy | Cold |
| Headache | Usually | Usually | Rare | Rare |
| Cough | Usually (dry) | Usually | Sometimes | Usually |
| Muscle aches | Usually | Usually | Never | Sometimes |
| Tiredness | Usually | Usually | Never | Sometimes |
| Sore throat | Usually | Usually | Sometimes | Usually |
| Runny or stuffy nose | Usually | Usually | Usually | Usually |
| Fever | Usually | Usually | Usually | Usually |
| Nausea or vomiting | Sometimes | Sometimes (more common in children) | Rarely | Sometimes |
| Diarrhea | Sometimes | Sometimes (more common in children) | Usually | Never |
| Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing | Usually | Usually | Sometimes | Never |
| New loss of taste or smell | Usually (early — often without a runny or stuffy nose) | Rare | Never | Sometimes (especially with a stuffy nose) |
You can get all the viruses the same way – personal contact with the virus. You touch something an infected person touches and then you touch your face.
So other than receiving this year’s vaccination, how can you prevent getting the flu? The obvious thing and the hardest is to practice good personal hygiene. This sounds easy enough, but how many times do we touch our face and eyes? Sounds gross, but how many times do we wash our hands before eating out? We often teach children to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice to reach the optimal 20 seconds of good hand washing. Do WE practice that?
How To Boost Your Immune System
You can also boost your immunity system by decreasing your intake of processed carbohydrates and sugars. The more sugar you eat, the less your immune system will work.
Look into supplementing herbs into your diet like Echinacea or similar herbs. Fresh ginger in hot water may also boost your immune system. Vitamin C and D also help your immune system.
Nasal saline washes and rinses are great to help your stuffy nose. HOWEVER, don’t use a netty pot when your nose is completely plugged – the solution will drain into your ears.
Garlic is good and not just in spaghetti – it relieves cough and congestion as well as boosting your immune system.
However, the one thing you may want to do before you get the flu is to get a flu shot.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recommended timing of vaccination is similar to last season. For most people who need only one dose for the season, September and October are generally good times to get vaccinated. Vaccination in July and August is not recommended for most adults but can be considered for some groups. While ideally, it’s recommended to get vaccinated by the end of October, it’s important to know that vaccination after October can still provide protection during the peak of flu season.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has more information on this year’s flu season and the COVID-19 vaccines on their website.
The Kleenex Company website also has some great tips for “Get well care ideas for sick friends, family or loved ones. It’s just not chicken soup.
Stay healthy so you can come out to the La Quinta, Indian Wells, Palm Desert, and Rancho Mirage area. We want to see you soon!