As flu season approaches, managing chronic conditions becomes even more critical. For those living with asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or other chronic illnesses, the flu can cause more severe symptoms and complications. At Avance Care, our primary care services are dedicated to helping you stay well year-round, and flu season is no exception.
How to Manage Chronic Conditions During Flu Season
We’re sharing our essential tips for managing your chronic conditions during flu season, helping you reduce the risk of complications and maintain your health. Let’s dive into the best practices to help you navigate flu season with confidence and ease.
Why the Flu is Riskier for People with Chronic Conditions
For those with chronic health issues, the flu isn’t just another seasonal illness—it can have serious consequences. Conditions such as asthma, COPD, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease can weaken the body’s immune response, making it harder to fight off the virus. This can lead to complications such as pneumonia, hospitalizations, or even death in severe cases.
Managing your chronic condition proactively is essential to reducing your risk and staying healthy during flu season. Here are some actionable steps you can take to safeguard your health.
1. Get Your Flu Shot Early
One of the most effective ways to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated. The flu shot is especially important for those with chronic conditions, as it reduces the risk of serious complications. According to the CDC, the flu vaccine can help prevent serious illness in high-risk groups, including individuals with chronic health conditions.
Timing Matters: Get your flu shot as soon as it’s available, typically in early fall. The vaccine takes about two weeks to become fully effective, so getting it early will provide the protection you need before flu activity ramps up.
Talk to Your Provider: If you’re managing a chronic illness, it’s important to discuss the flu shot with your primary care provider. In rare cases, certain conditions or medications may require special considerations when receiving vaccines.
At Avance Care, we offer flu vaccines for patients of all ages. Call or schedule an appointment online to get your flu shot at one of our convenient locations.
2. Stick to Your Chronic Care Management Plan
Managing your chronic condition requires daily effort, and it becomes even more important during flu season. Keeping your condition well-managed reduces the risk of complications if you do get sick.
Follow Your Medications: Take your medications as prescribed, and don’t skip doses. Whether it’s asthma inhalers, insulin, or heart medications, consistency is key to managing your condition effectively.
Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep an eye on any changes in your condition. For instance, if you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar levels more frequently, as illness can cause fluctuations.
Schedule Regular Checkups: If you haven’t had a recent checkup, now is a great time to schedule one. Your provider can adjust your care plan, renew prescriptions, and ensure you’re in the best shape to handle flu season.
Our primary care team at Avance Care and our Chronic Care Management program is here to support you in managing your condition, whether that means fine-tuning your treatment plan or offering guidance on lifestyle adjustments.
3. Practice Good Hygiene to Avoid Getting Sick
Preventing the flu starts with good hygiene. The flu virus spreads easily through respiratory droplets when someone coughs, sneezes, or talks. People with chronic conditions should take extra precautions to avoid exposure to the virus.
Wash Your Hands Regularly: Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing, sneezing, or touching surfaces in public places.
Avoid Close Contact with Sick Individuals: If someone around you is sick, try to maintain distance to avoid getting infected. Encourage household members to get vaccinated as well to minimize your exposure.
Sanitize Frequently Touched Surfaces: Regularly disinfect commonly touched objects like doorknobs, phones, and countertops, as the flu virus can live on surfaces for hours.
If you feel unwell or suspect you’ve been exposed to the flu, contact Avance Care to speak with your provider about the next steps.
4. Stay Hydrated and Maintain a Healthy Diet
Proper hydration and a balanced diet help boost your immune system, giving your body the tools it needs to fight off infections. During flu season, it’s especially important to stay on top of these habits.
Hydration: Drinking plenty of water helps flush out toxins and keeps your body functioning optimally. If you have conditions like heart failure or kidney disease, talk to your doctor about how much fluid is appropriate for you.
Healthy Diet: A nutrient-dense diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains supports immune function. Vitamins such as vitamin C, D, and zinc play a key role in immunity, so include foods like citrus fruits, leafy greens, nuts, and seeds in your diet.
Manage Blood Sugar: If you have diabetes, eating a balanced diet is crucial for managing your blood sugar levels, which can become more difficult to control during illness.
5. Rest, Exercise, and Manage Stress
While it’s important to stay active, especially for conditions like diabetes and heart disease, getting enough rest is equally critical during flu season.
Get Plenty of Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Sleep helps your body recover and boosts your immune function.
Exercise Safely: Regular exercise can strengthen your immune system, but be sure to listen to your body. Light to moderate activity, like walking, swimming, or yoga, can be beneficial, but if you’re feeling under the weather, prioritize rest.
Manage Stress: Chronic stress weakens the immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. Incorporate stress-reducing activities like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or spending time in nature.
6. Know When to Seek Medical Help
If you do catch the flu, it’s important to recognize when you need medical attention—especially if you have a chronic condition. Flu symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, coughing, and body aches, can worsen quickly for people with chronic illnesses.
Early Intervention: Antiviral medications can reduce the severity of the flu if taken within 48 hours of symptoms starting. If you have a chronic condition and think you have the flu, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Look for Warning Signs: For individuals with conditions like asthma or COPD, watch for worsening shortness of breath or wheezing. People with heart disease should be on the lookout for chest pain, irregular heartbeat, or swelling. For those with diabetes, monitor for signs of dehydration or high blood sugar.
At Avance Care, we offer same-day appointments and telehealth visits to ensure you get the care you need quickly, whether you’re feeling sick or just have concerns about managing your condition during flu season.
Take Charge of Your Health This Flu Season
Flu season can be a challenging time, especially for those managing chronic conditions. However, with the right precautions and a proactive approach, you can reduce your risk of complications and maintain control of your health. From getting your flu shot to sticking to your care plan and practicing good hygiene, these steps will help you stay healthy and resilient.
If you’re living with a chronic condition and need support, Avance Care is here to help. Our primary care providers are dedicated to helping you navigate flu season with confidence. Schedule an appointment today at any of our Avance Care locations to discuss your health plan, get your flu shot, or get assistance if you’re feeling unwell. We’re here for you every step of the way!
