Flu season in the US runs from October through May and claims tens of thousands of lives every year. The 2019-2020 past flu season deaths are estimated at 59,000 deaths in the US due to the flu.
Because the second wave of COVID-19 is likely to occur during this year's flu season, the CDC is urging all individuals over the age of 6 months to receive the flu vaccine for the 2020-2021 upcoming flu season unless their doctors have advised them not to. Health experts agree that it is even more important now than ever before to reduce the risk of getting the flu, and if someone gets the flu, getting the flu shot will reduce the symptoms. This means less stress on the healthcare system so that those resources can be directed toward battling COVID-19.
This month, September, is Flu Awareness Month. In the upcoming newsletters, we will share information and resources about reducing the risk of getting the flu. These resources include information about how good nutrition and less stress help support the immune system.
Let's start with an overview of vitamins and natural food can support health to help you decide if including these in your diet will be beneficial:
Join this LIVE webinar on Thursday, September 3
at 11:00 am to learn more! Register here Another great way to support your immune system is to understand how conditions like heart disease, diabetes (metabolic syndrome) and back issues impact your ability to fight diseases like the flu. September's Healthy U courses will deepen your knowledge and help you to consider what lifestyle changes can help you stay healthy during the flu season. See below for the 3 September courses:
9/16/2020, 11:00 am: Matters of the Heart
This seminar covers everything related to heart disease, like high blood pressure, stroke, high cholesterol and more. Heart disease activates the immune system, so if you have heart disease, your body's immune system is already working hard. This could mean that you are more likely to get infections, like the flu.
9/23/2020, 11:00 am: Diabetes Risks (Metabolic Syndrome)
Are you at risk for diabetes? It's easier for people with diabetes to get infections like the flu because high blood sugar levels can weaken the immune system. Learn more about metabolic syndrome and how to prevent diabetes in this session.
9/30/2020, 11:00 am: Healthy Backs
Chronic pain creates a response that lowers the body's ability to fight infections like the flu. Back pain is the second most common cause of disability in the US. Learn how to prevent and manage back pain in this session.