Archives for February 2018

The most recent flu season was one of the worst in history, says Marla Ahlgrimm. And while the spread may not be stopped completely, there are a few things to keep in mind before the next flu season, which typically begins in October of each year.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, the flu is a type of virus that affects the respiratory system. Often, the throat, nose, and lungs are affected. While most influenza outbreaks cause mild to moderate symptoms, it can cause more severe issues in the very young, the very old, and those with a compromised immune system.

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Summer is almost here and that means lots of time outdoors. And while that’s a good thing, Marla Ahlgrimm explains that it also means potential exposure to warm-weather hazards, including Lyme disease.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, Lyme disease is the result of being bitten by a tick infected with a specific bacteria. Symptoms are mild at first and may initially appear as a rash with a bull’s-eye pattern. Not all people bitten by an infected tick will develop a rash. As Lyme disease progresses, it can present with fatigue, a stiff neck, body aches, headache, and fever, which can spike to 101° or higher.

Unfortunately, as Marla Ahlgrimm explains, Lyme disease is often misdiagnosed as its symptoms mimic those of the seasonal flu and a number of other less serious conditions. People who do not spend a great deal of time outdoors may reject the notion of Lyme disease altogether. Further complicating matters is that laboratory testing is not always conclusive until the infection has spread for two to three weeks.

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