MIDDLESEX COUNTY– Even while it claims thousands of lives across the globe each year, influenza remains one of the more underestimated illnesses in modern-day society.
It’s not difficult to see why either, when something that starts off with a mild cough or headache can quickly and unexpectedly escalate into a high fever, sore throat and extreme fatigue.
So with flu season well upon them, some local physicians and medical staff are in the throes of educating the public on prevention and treatment of this commonplace, yet highly contagious virus.
Long-term care facilities, like Roosevelt Care Centers in Edison and Old Bridge, have to be especially careful during this time frame, as they are teeming with seniors, one of the most susceptible groups to a flu-related fatality, along with young children.
“We’ll be starting the flu vaccine in the month of October,” said Dr. Frank Damiani, director of resident care and administrator at Roosevelt Care Center in Edison. “People may not understand how vulnerable our community is in terms of transmitting from one person to another.”
Infection can come by way of kissing, hugging or even touching a doorknob, when an unsuspecting individual is exposed to a carrier’s respiratory droplets by touching their mouth, nose or even eyes.
One of the two most important and simple steps to preventing the spread of the virus is through hand-washing and covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing, preferable in the inside crook of the elbow.
Also of note, more physicians are now advocating old-fashioned soap-and-water hand-washing versus antibacterial hand sanitizers.
“Recently, there’s been articles about some of these formulas suggesting that they may increase resistance to evolving strains,” Damiani said. “It’s important to have a level of protection from the infection, which decreases the transmission.”
The vaccination is yet another means and likely, the most sure-fire way to protect oneself from the flu.
“I think the biggest thing we need to do is remind everyone if they’re not doing well or if they have an upper respiratory infection that they should avoid going out in public if possible or visiting a medical facility like our own,” Damiani said.
While the flu vaccination can be a source of mild illness, in this case, it’s the lesser of two evils, Damiani cautions.
“You might get some residual flu-like symptoms after receiving the vaccine because it’s actually what they refer to as a deactivated virus,” Damiani said. “The point is to develop the antibody in your system for protection. The level of severity is not going to be as intense and the consequences of shirking your flu shot are much graver than the vaccination’s side effects.”
For more information on Roosevelt Care Centers, log onto www.rooseveltcarecenter.com, call 732-360-9839, visit or like the facilities’ Facebook pages at “Roosevelt Care Center at Old Bridge,” 1133 Marlboro Road, or “Roosevelt Care Center at Edison,” 118 Parsonage Road.
