Fighting the flu: MDG offers advice Published Sept. 23, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Shen-Chia Chu 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- An Airman wakes up tired in the morning with a pounding headache, sore throat, runny rose, body aches and a high fever. Maybe it's a common cold, but little does the Airman know that he or she has just become a victim of the flu. "Each year, more than 36,000 Americans die annually from the flu and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications," said Capt. Francis Obuseh, 436th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Public Health deputy commander. It is important for Team Dover Airmen and their families to be knowledgeable about the flu and take prudent and reasonable steps to stay healthy, said Lt. Col. James Cowan, 436th AMDS Public Health flight commander. At the leadership level, all squadrons have a responsibility for providing a healthy and safe work and community environment. This includes actions that limit the spread of the flu. "Having the flu is different from having a common cold," said Colonel Cowan. "The flu is a contagious respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus such as seasonal flu and H1N1 novel flu, and people with colds rarely get flu-like symptoms." The colonel says flu symptoms may include a high fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, chills, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. "The flu virus is easily spread through coughing, sneezing or touching a surface with virus-containing droplets," said Colonel Cowan. "People with the flu are contagious one day before their symptoms start and for up to seven days after symptoms appear." According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get a seasonal flu vaccination each year along with consistently doing the following: - Wash hands often with soap and water, or alcohol-based products to protect from germs - Avoid close contact with people who are sick - Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent spreading germs - Cover the mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing - Military members with flu-like symptoms should report to sick call - Military dependent health care beneficiaries should contact their primary care manager "We strongly encourage all Airmen, our DoD civilian employees and contractors, and the entire Dover AFB community, including family members and retirees, to take action and avoid falling prey to the seasonal flu," said Colonel Cowan. "We're going to do everything possible to take care of our Team Dover community and keep Dover Airmen healthy and fit to perform the Air Force mission."