Cold and Flu Season Approaches

As summer gives way to fall and beyond, the season of sickness is upon us.

Some may be experiencing allergies that can lead to head congestion and coughing but Medical Director Dr. Vicki Whitacre at the Zanesville Muskingum County Health Department said if you do feel a cold coming on, there are simple measures to keeping the sickness to yourself.

“To be careful, be sure to remember to wash you hands because flu season’s definitely coming and we want to prevent that as much as we can,” said Whitacre. “Coughing and sneezing should be covered, either into your elbow or using a tissue and then trying to remember to wash your hands afterwards.”

As the cold weather moves in to stay for the season, so does the common flu. Whitacre said that getting vaccinated provides the protection needed to keep yourself healthy through the winter season.

“Well there’s a lot of illness that comes from getting the flu and we do have deaths,” said Whitacre. “Anywhere from 3,000 to 50,000 every year in the United States from the flu.”

The Zanesville Muskingum County Health Department’s free drive thru flu clinic is coming up on Oct. 8 at the Muskingum County Fairgrounds. While you don’t need to register ahead of time, the health department encourages you to fill out the online form and print it off to expedite the process when you get vaccinated.