Early Start to Flu Season Could Signal Epidemic if Precautions not Taken


Posted November 23, 2019 by FrankGroff

(Brand New Day Offers Tips For Staying Healthy In Time For National Flu Vaccination Week)

 
The CDC reports that flu season has begun much earlier than usual with California earning the dubious distinction (along with Louisiana and Maryland) of seeing the most widespread outbreaks. While December 1-7 is National Influenza Vaccination Week, the medical team at Brand New Day, a Medicare Advantage prescription health plan available in 12 California counties, advise not to wait until then to get your flu shot. Furthermore, Michael Tehrani, MD, a board-certified Internal Medicine/Geriatrician physician with Brand New Day, recommends taking additional precautions to reduce your chances of getting the flu.
“Since flu season is off to an early start, it’s even more important to start taking the necessary steps to keep you healthy,” says Tehrani. “The most important one is getting your flu shot now rather than putting it off. It's not too late, as the peak of the season is still ahead.”

The following are the precautions recommended by Brand New Day:

· Get a flu shot
· Wash your hands with warm water and soap throughout the day as the virus is easily spread through casual contact
· Eat healthy and focus on foods high in vitamins C and E
· Drink adequate amounts of water as dehydration sets the stage for the virus to take hold
· Get enough sleep to help keep your immune system strong
· Exercise regularly to keep your body strong and lower your stress levels

“Should you feel the onset of symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, congestion, runny nose, headaches and fatigue, visit your doctor right away,” advises Tehrani. “If you are prescribed an anti-flu medication like tamiflu within 48 hours from the onset of symptoms, the duration and severity of your symptoms can be greatly reduced.”

In addition to its standard plan, Brand New Day offers:

• Embrace Plan — for members with heart disease, hypertension and/or diabetes
• Bridges Plan — for members with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients
• SelectCare Plan — for members who reside in long-term care (nursing homes) facilities
• Harmony Plan — for members with mental illness including major depression, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder and paranoid disorder

For qualifying members, the plans cover transportation to and from medical appointments; vision, dental and hearing aids; 24-hour/day nurse and physician line; and health nurses and life coaches. In addition, members with chronic illnesses are not only treated medically, but in a variety of other ways including:

• Education about the member’s chronic or ongoing medical conditions and avoidable risks
• Nutrition
• Exercise
• Self-testing and monitoring
• Medication adherence to doctor orders
• Preventive care planning
• Linkage to community support programs

Brand New Day is the Medicare product name of Universal Care, Inc., a privately held California Knox-Keene Healthcare Service Plan licensed by the California Department of Managed Health Care and contracted with the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services as a Medicare Advantage contractor. Universal Care, Inc. is owned and operated by an experienced group of managed care executives and physicians. Universal Care, Inc. was founded in 1983. For more information, visit BNDHMO.com or call (866) 255-4795.
-- END ---
Share Facebook Twitter
Print Friendly and PDF DisclaimerReport Abuse
Contact Email [email protected]
Issued By Frank Groff
Phone 5624911000
Country United States
Categories Health
Tags california , health , los angeles , orange county , weestminster
Last Updated November 23, 2019