Kern Family Health Care | Family Health | Fall 2020

FAMILY HEALTH 5 Health educator corner Q Is it a cold or the flu? Colds and flu viruses can cause some of the same symptoms. Although either can happen year long, the flu season tends to start in October and end sometime in April or May. Check out the chart on page 4 to know the difference between the two. Q I have a fever! What should I do? y Up to 102 degrees suggests a cold. y Over 102 degrees points to the flu. A fever is usually a sign that your body is trying to fight an illness or infection. A mild fever stays between 99 degrees and 102 degrees. A high fever is 103 degrees or higher. Call your doctor if you have a fever. Your doctor can help you figure out if you should get tested for COVID-19. Bernardo Ochoa, MPH Member Health Educator Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; U.S. Food and Drug Administration Q Why do I need a flu vaccine every year? A flu vaccine is needed every season for 2 reasons. 1. A person’s immune protection from the vaccine declines over time. A yearly vaccine is needed for best protection. 2. Flu viruses are always changing. And flu vaccines may change from one season to the next. Research shows which viruses may be most common during the coming flu season. For the best protection, everyone 6 months and older should get the flu vaccine yearly. The flu vaccine can help reduce illness and preserve health care resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. Flor Del Hoyo, MPH Member Health Educator Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) Social distancing 2 meters 6 feet Q Should I wear a mask? People in California must use face coverings when in public or common spaces. This includes outdoor public spaces when a physical distance of 6 feet is not likely. Research has shown that people with no or few symptoms of COVID-19 can still spread the disease. Research has also shown that face coverings, combined with physical distancing and frequent handwashing, will reduce the spread of COVID-19. Carlos Bello, MPH, CHES Senior Member Health Educator Source: California Department of Public Health WE’RE HERE FOR YOU. Go to kernfamilyhealth care.com/covid19 for the latest updates, information and resources.