Heritage Manor News: Respiratory illness and flu

(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted by Patricia Duplechin, resident activity director at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Ville Platte. This column runs every Sunday in The Gazette.)
Respiratory illness, the common cold and the flu are common during the winter months. Most cases occur in January and February. Most healthy individuals have mild symptoms for a week or two and then can resume their normal activities. However, some may develop more severe cases. People, age 65 and older, are more susceptible to the flu. Symptoms include high fever, headache, body aches, runny nose, dry cough, extreme fatigue and sore throat. Respiratory viruses are spread mainly from person to person through droplets when people cough, sneeze or talk. It may also spread when people touch something with the virus on it and then touch their mouth, eyes or nose. Some viruses live from 20 minutes to two hours on surfaces such as tables, desks, doorknob or computer keyboards. The single most important preventative measure for avoiding the flu is to get the flu vaccine.
Daylight Savings Time ends today. It will be an adjustment period to get used to again.
Activities this week include Come Lord Jesus group, service by St. John’s Baptist Church, manicures, in-room visits, happy hour, food committee meeting, group exercise, resident birthday party, horseshoes, bible study, jingo, mass and bingo sponsored by Ardoin’s Funeral Home.
The staff of Heritage Manor wishes a Happy Birthday this week to Harold Fontenot, Joseph Bourque and Barbara M. Ardoin.
The staff of Heritage Manor extends its deepest sympathy to the families of J.C. Freeman and Andree LeBas.