Cold and Flu Season are Coming: A Letter from Public Health
Dear Tribal Members,
Cold and flu season is rapidly approaching. Your public health team wants to prepare you for that time of year. We hope to empower you to take charge of your healthcare with knowledge and confidence. One of the best ways to remain healthy during this upcoming time of year is to BE healthy. Health is a lifestyle choice and should include exercise, a healthy and balanced diet, weight maintenance as well as psychological and emotional wellbeing. A healthy lifestyle can be a lot of work but putting in that dedication can help prevent serious illness and improve overall quality of life.
The next way you can remain healthy is to follow basic precautions. Wash your hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom, being in town, and before eating. Soap and water are the best option, but hand sanitizer works well if your hands are not visibly soiled. It is incredibly important to learn how to wash your hands properly. To learn how to wash your hands properly please visit www.cdc.gov/clean-hands. Stay away from people who are sick and stay home if you are sick. Lastly, wear a mask if you are feeling ill. A mask works best to prevent the spread of illness if the person who is feeling ill is the one wearing it.
Seek medical care when appropriate. Sometimes t can be difficult to decide when to seek medical care. Between long wait times and the cost of an emergency room or urgent care visit, that decision can be daunting. It is important not to wait too long to seek care, especially in life threatening situations, in that case it is also important to choose the right place to get care. Included is a guide on when to seek medical care and where you should get that care, based on symptoms and severity of illness.
Make sure your medicine cabinet is up to date for the cold and flu season. Often during cold and flu season medications and medical equipment sell out. Keep age-appropriate medication on hand for your family. Now is a great time to prepare any natural remedies you like to have on hand for cold and flu season.
Stay up to date on preventative medicine. Make sure to have a yearly visit with your doctor to get a general health check. Many chronic health conditions go undetected until the condition is quite serious, because of lack of yearly check-ups. Chronic conditions make you more vulnerable to serious illness and communicable disease. Vaccines are important to protect you and your loved ones. If you have any questions or concerns about vaccination, please reach out to the public health team or your medical provider so they can assist you.
Staying healthy and learning to choose the appropriate care is essential for your health and that of the community. During cold and flu season our resources are often near or at capacity; knowing how to choose the right care will prevent delays in your care and that of your community members.
Thank you,
Your Public Health Team
