These days, as I get back home from work, my 15-month-old son comes out crawling at the
gate and gestures for me to pick him up. And when I pick him up in my lap, he hugs me and
kisses me. As a father, it is the best form of love I get from my son. In fact, I wait the whole
day for that wet peck on my cheek.
This routine keeps the stress at bay and I get some best moments of my life. During this
routine, I noticed that my son is falling ill quite often. During the last two months, he was
having a running nose and cough at regular intervals and it was transmitted to me and other
members of the family. Though we were giving him medication prescribed by his
pediatrician, we were desperately in search of the cause of this regular illness.
#FightAgainstFlu
I found the cause in one of the FB live sessions I attended recently. The session on Facebook
was around influenza. The topic of that session was #FightAgainstFlu and it was taken by
two renowned doctors. During that session, I didn’t only learn what influenza is but its
different types as well. I also got an idea about how it spreads. And most importantly, what
complications it can cause to the human body.
Apart from that, the doctors also suggested the precautions one should take and briefed
everyone about the annual flu vaccine. According to that, I made necessary changes to my
lifestyle and took some precautions as per the suggestions.
The five main precautions which I took after that session are as follows:
Etiquettes
Recently, we were taught how to sneeze and cough so we don’t spread infection but as things are getting normal, people are forgetting those etiquette. I made the habit of coughing and sneezing in the elbow covering my nose and mouth.2 And that practice is still on.
As we know, the influenza virus is airborne and can be easily transmitted. Thus, it is important to cover your mouth and nose while sneezing and coughing. I cough and sneeze on my elbow because I don’t touch it often. If I do it in my hands then there are chances that I touch my face with those hands full of germs.2
Sanitization
I wash my hands immediately after I sneeze, cough, or before I eat anything at my workplace.2 Earlier, after reaching home, I used to pick my son up straightaway but now, I ask him to follow me to the basin. These days, first I wash my hand with the hand wash and only then do I pick him up.
The second precaution I took was sanitization which was fading away from our life as the things are getting normal. I feel the practice of washing or sanitizing hands should become a habit and part of our lifestyle.2
Distancing
The third precaution I took was I started staying away from people who are sick. At my workplace, if I see someone wiping their nose or coughing at regular intervals then I make sure that I keep a distance while talking to them. If there is an instance that I have to work with that person then I make sure I wear a mask while interacting.
Distancing from sick people keeps the flu virus at bay2. Thus, I can hug my son without any hesitation.
Touching habits
Like many others, I also have a habit of touching my face again and again. Whichever activity I do during the day, I tend to touch my mouth, nose or eyes while doing that. Thus, the fourth precaution I took was to stop my hands from going toward my face now and then.
While performing the different tasks throughout the day, my hands get dirty. And that dirt that may contain the virus is transmitted into your body through the eyes, mouth or nose. So it is very important to stop your hands from coming toward your face.2
Vaccination
I have known about the annual flu vaccine for the last 6 years. One of my friends used to take it every year. At that stage, I used to think, “What is the need? I am young and have immunity against common viruses.”
After becoming a father, I understood the importance of it. Thus, the fifth precaution I took was, I consulted my physician and my son’s pediatrician and we both got vaccinated. On average, the vaccine prevents around 40% – 60% of infections in healthy adults 1. Now, imagine the benefits of getting vaccinated!
After taking above mentioned precautions, I am seeing changes in my son’s health. Now, running nose or cough is not irritating him and he is happily crawling around and shouting playfully.
What are you waiting for? Contact your physician today and start your #FightAgainstFlu.
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm#flu-vaccination.
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/symptoms-causes/syc-20351719
Getting vaccination whenever required is very important. Even me and my husband have taken the flu vaccine. It is good to know that nowadays, taking the vaccines at the right time is being given so much importance.
Among all these useful points, the fifth one is the most important one to keep our family and children safe.
With the life going back to old normal, these reminders are much needed. These might seem simple but they are much relevant
You are right, one needs to be cautious of the flu and take preventive measures as it will keep the family safe.
Yes!! We are back to normal life but so much agree with you that we need to understand the basic norms and take precautions to stay ourselves and our family safe.
I am sure with all the necessary precautions, now u can hug ur kiddo without any fear. I agree that adults too should get flu vaccination every year.
This is a very informative article. With so much going on, it can be confusing to know flu from influenza or any other viral fever.
You are so right, it is very essential to keep up the guard. just because we are vaccinated against Coronavirus, doesn’t make us immune to flu and influenza. I always keep my vaccination schedule handy for yearly doses for the entire family.
Now that we all are exposed to outside environment its indeed very crucial to take precautions as we are the carriers of varipus kind of infection for our family too. Taking vaccination is one good thing that we can do to stay protected.