Coping with flu season during a pandemic
Two viruses, similar symptoms, what to look out for - News 11's Arlette Yousif reports
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - While COVID continues to wreak havoc on our daily lives, flu season is almost upon us and the symptoms are almost mirror images of one another. The good news is that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), wearing a mask can help reduce the risk of transmitting the flu to others.
However, Adult Acute Care Administrative Director Elizabeth Lara says the best course of action when you have the flu is to stay home, especially since symptoms are so similar to coronavirus infection.
And when it comes to vaccination...
"We're still recommending to take their flu shot as well. We have not seen any recommendations from the CDC not to take neither of the vaccines," says Adult Acute Care Administrative Director Elizabeth Lara.
However, Lara says when symptoms get worse or do not improve, it’s time to visit a medical provider.
"Really dehydrated or they’re having fevers that are uncontrolled where they feel like they are not being able to maintain at home," explains Lara.
But they do not test everyone.
"We do not test everybody for the flu or for covid. It just really depends on their symptoms. And like you said they’re pretty similar and that’s why our testing basically is testing for both," says Lara.
It can be confusing trying to determine whether someone has the flu or COVID without testing.
"COVID is still here. And with the flu coming in, then taking precautions like using a mask and sanitizer, disinfectant, and all the measures of precaution will help us live a normal life," explains Yuma local Virginia Inzunza.
But some people just want to be sure.
"We do not test just because they want comfort. It’s really based off of symptoms and it’s also provider preference, what they’re seeing as symptomatic," says Lara.
"I think that people are worried about it, but at the same time, they’re trying to live normal lives," explains Inzunza.
Lara says that the CDC does expect this flu season to have more cases as there are no mask mandates currently in the state of Arizona.
