How to prevent the Flu—And get the Flu Shot

Introduction

The flu is a highly contagious, respiratory illness that can cause mild to severe illness. It usually begins with cold-like symptoms, such as fever and chills, cough and muscle aches. The most serious complications are dehydration caused by diarrhea and vomiting, sinus or ear infections caused by inflammation of the tissues around these organs and pneumonia, an infection of the lungs. In rare cases, influenza can lead to death. Most people who get the flu will recover in a few weeks without treatment; but if you’re 65 years or older it’s important to see a doctor to find out what strain of flu you have so they can prescribe an appropriate medication for treating that specific strain of virus (for example if you get H1N1).

Avoid Sick People

• Avoid Sick People

There’s a reason that you’re told to stay away from people who are sick. When you’re exposed to a virus, your body will fight it off by producing antibodies. But if the person who gave you that illness is still around and they have another strain of the same virus, then your body won’t know how to handle it–and neither will your immune system.

• If You Are Sick, Stay Home

If someone at work has been showing symptoms for more than 24 hours and hasn’t gone home yet (or at least called out), take action! Not only does this help prevent their germs from spreading further but also gives them time away from other coworkers so they can get better quickly without affecting everyone else’s productivity levels in the meantime

Get a flu shot

You can get a flu shot at your doctor’s office or local pharmacy. The vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older, including pregnant women.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older get the annual flu vaccine. It’s safe, effective, and will protect you from getting sick with the flu this season!

Flu shots are available at many drug stores, local health departments and doctor offices across the country. If you do not have access to these services where you live or work–or if they are not convenient–you can order them online at www.[website].

Wash Your Hands

The single most important thing you can do to prevent the flu is wash your hands regularly.

To get the most bang for your buck, keep these tips in mind:

• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you don’t have access to clean water (like when camping).
• Wash before eating or preparing food, after using the bathroom and anytime else that they’ve been contaminated by germs or viruses (for example, while coughing).

Keep Your Hands Away From Your Face and Mouth

The flu virus can be spread by touching your hands to your mouth, nose or eyes. You can also get the flu if you share food and drinks with others.

If you have a cold or other illness that causes sores on the skin around your mouth, it may be harder for you to avoid touching these areas–but try!

Here are some tips for keeping those germs away:

• Don’t touch your face! Wash your hands with soap and water often (especially after using public restrooms). If possible, use disposable tissues when blowing your nose or wiping off sweat from working out at the gym; throw them away immediately after use instead of putting them back into an open box in front of other people who might want to use them too.* Don’t eat or drink with unwashed hands.* Avoid sharing utensils such as forks and knives with others–especially if they’ve got any type of sore around their mouths caused by colds/illnesses like strep throat.”

Dress Appropriately in Cold Weather

When the weather is cold, it’s important to dress appropriately. This includes wearing a scarf to cover your mouth and nose, a hat or hooded sweatshirt over your head and ears, gloves on your hands (if you don’t have gloves that fit properly).

You should also be careful about touching other people when you have a cough or sneeze–or even better yet, just avoid touching other people altogether! It’s easy enough just by avoiding crowds if you feel like there are too many germs flying around; but if not then try keeping some distance from others while they’re sick so they don’t catch anything else from touching something else after they touch themselves first before coming back into contact with others again later down the road.”

You can prevent the flu by avoiding sick people, washing your hands regularly, getting a flu shot, and dressing appropriately in cold weather.

You can prevent the flu by avoiding sick people, washing your hands regularly, getting a flu shot, and dressing appropriately in cold weather.

If you’re sick with a cold or the flu:

• Stay home from work or school when you feel sick. You could infect others who are more vulnerable to serious complications of these diseases–including children and older adults.
• Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing to keep germs from spreading to others. Avoid touching your eyes; nose; and mouth with unwashed hands–germs spread that way!
• Clean surfaces that may be contaminated with germs from someone’s coughs or sneezes (for example: keyboards). Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds at least 5 times per day during cold season – especially after touching surfaces where germs might live (like door handles).

Conclusion

You can avoid the flu by avoiding sick people, washing your hands regularly, getting a flu shot and dressing appropriately in cold weather.