Tips for Staying Healthier This Fall and Winter

Tip One: Get Your Flu Shot

SoFHA physicians want you to know that getting vaccinated is your best bet for avoiding contracting the virus this upcoming 2016-2017 season. It takes approximately two weeks for your body’s immune response to fully respond after receiving the vaccination. According to the CDC, people should get their flu shot by the end of October 2016. However, getting vaccinated even into January or later can be helpful if influenza virus is still circulating. Children aged 6 months through 8 years, who need two doses of the vaccine should get their first dose soon to allow time to get the second dose (28 days after the first dose) before the flu season begins.

Tip Two:  Avoid handshakes and do fist bumps instead

Research shows by greeting someone with a handshake transfers 10x more germs than a fist bump. The “10x more germs” statistic comes from a study conducted by British researchers in 2014. American Journal of Infection Control published the results showing fist bumps transmit just one-twentieth the amount of bacteria a handshake does.

Tip Three: What to do if you still get the flu

If you do contract the flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading the virus to others. Also be aware prescription medications called antiviral drugs are available to treat influenza. To learn more, visit “what you should know about flu antiviral drugs” provided online by the CDC.

To get your flu vaccine:

Blue Ridge Family Medicine:
Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, walk-ins welcome, for questions call 423-794-5831

Johnson City Internal Medicine/First Choice Internal Medicine:
Monday-Friday, 7:30am-5pm, walk-ins welcome, for questions call 423-794-5520

First Choice Family Practice:
Monday-Thursday, 8am-430pm, walk-ins welcome, for questions call 423-794-5530

Family Physicians of Johnson City:
Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, walk-ins welcome, for questions call 423-952-5313

First Choice Pediatrics:
Call for an appointment 423-794-5560

Johnson City Pediatrics:
Call for an appointment 423-794-5540

Riverside Pediatrics:
Monday-Thursday, 8am-5pm, appointment only-call 423-547-9400

SoFHA OB/GYN:
Monday-Friday, appointment only-call 423-794-1300

Walk In Clinic:
Monday-Sunday, 7am-9pm, walk-ins welcome, for questions call 423-794-5590