October is Healthy Lung Awareness Month: Protect Yourself This Virus Season.

October 22, 2024 / Get Well

Spotlight: Free Flu Shots are available for all NOVA community members. The Kaiser Permanente Mobile Health Van will be at NOVA’s Annandale and Alexandria campuses on Monday, October 28 to provide Flu shots for both the insured or uninsured.

The NOVA Office of Employee Wellness and Wellbeing (OEWW) emphasizes the importance of safeguarding yourself and others from respiratory illnesses like influenza (flu), COVID-19 and RSV. As we spend more time indoors and gather for seasonal observances, these illnesses can spread more easily.

October is Healthy Lung Awareness Month, and Lung Health Day is celebrated on the fourth Wednesday of October (October 23 this year). This a great time to increase awareness, promote lung health and consider strategies for Protecting Yourself This Respiratory Virus Season.

Here are some additional tips to protect your lungs:

  • Connect with a health care provider. They can help you assess your risk, understand prevention strategies and make informed decisions about your care
  • Stay up to date on your vaccinations: Ensure you’ve received the latest flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
  • Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands frequently, cover your coughs and sneezes and avoid touching your face.
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly and get enough sleep.
  • Be mindful of indoor air quality: Keep your workspace and home well-ventilated, and consider using air purifiers.
  • Quit smoking or avoid secondhand smoke: Smoking is a major risk factor for lung disease.

We rarely think about breathing except when we have trouble doing it. By taking these steps, you can help protect your lungs and reduce the risk of respiratory infection.

Your lung health is a precious gift. During this respiratory virus season, it’s more important than ever to take proactive steps to protect it. 

  • Benefitted Employees: connect with your healthcare provider for personalized guidance and advice. 
  • Those with limited or no health insurance can contact your local health department for health information and updates about available flu and COVID 19 vaccination clinics. 
    • Use the Virginia Department of Health’s Vaccine Provider Locator to search for vaccine appointments at your local health department or nearby pharmacies.
    • If looking outside of Virginia, use the Find a Health Center tool to locate a health center clinic near you.

If we take care of our lungs, our lungs will take care of us. Together, we can safeguard our lungs and ensure a healthier fall/winter season.

A Kaiser Permanente mobile health van parked and ready for patients. NOVA logo and green text below: “Next Stop: A Healthier You."

Submitted by:
Dahlia Henry-Tett, Chief Wellness Officer (CWO), employeewellbeing@nvcc.edu