Well the flu bug has arrived in Spokane. And that is not good news. We all need to be practicing the habits needed to prevent the spread of the virus. Also, if you have not done so yet, a flu shot is a good way to prevent the spread of the virus as well.

 

 

 

If you have further questions, contact your doctor, local pharmacy or contact the Spokane Regional Health District at 509-324-1600 or visit http://www.srhd.org/services/clinic.asp.

 

In addition, you may want to visit http://www.flu.gov/index.html. This website has a locator by zip code of where flu shots are available. Simply type in your zip code and you will see a list of providers in your area.

 

 

 

So far this season, we have not had any major flu outbreaks in the United States and this is welcome news.

 

 

 

 

 

However, this can change quickly so we all need to be vigilant and proactive to stop the spread of the flu virus. Here are some simply steps to protect yourself:

 

1. Get a flu shot if possible.

 

2. Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. This helps prevent the spread of the flu virus.

 

3. Wash your hands often with soap and water and avoid touching your mouth and eyes.

 

4. If possible, stay away from others who are sick. Also, if you become sick with the flu, minimize your contact with others and stay home from work.

 

Although these steps are simple, they are quite powerful in slowing down or stopping the spread of influenza. If we all do our part, hopefully we can enjoy the rest of the winter flu-free!

 

 

With the price of prescription drugs continuing to increase, many people are turning to generics. However, with generics come many questions. So to help you, we have the facts about generics for you:

 

Are generics safe? Yes, the FDA requires all drugs to be safe and effective. Generics use the same substances as their name brand counterparts.

 

Does every name brand drug have a generic? No, name brand medications are protected by patent for 20 years. When the patent expires, other drug companies can create a generic form and sell it for a lower cost.

 

Will generics take longer to work? No, generics work in the same way and in the same amount of time as brand name drugs. Also generics are just as effective and stable as name brand medications since they must be the same quality.

 

If you ever have any questions or need more information about generic medications, contact your primary care physician, pharmacist or
medical insurance company.