Protect Yourself and Your Family Against the Flu!
By taking these simple steps, together we can all prevent the spread of illness! (please click here for Spanish version)
Protect yourself, protect others – get a flu vaccine every year
- It’s not too late to get vaccinated against the flu. Everyone 6 months of age and older should be vaccinated. The circulating strains of flu are a good match with those included in this year’s vaccine
- Locate other providers of flu vaccine, at http://flushot.healthmap.org/
Prevent the spread of germs, cover coughs and sneezes
- Cough and sneeze into your sleeve. This prevents germs from getting on your hands, which then leave germs on the things you touch (door knobs, hand rails, light switches, etc). Flu can survive on these surfaces for several hours!
- Use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Stay home when you are sick
- If you or your child has a fever, stay home! You or your child should be fever-free for at least 24 hours before returning to work or school. A fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine (like Tylenol)
- If you are sick, do not visit loved ones in the hospital, nursing home, or any other facility housing those in frail health. People with certain health conditions are more likely to have complications that result in hospitalization or even death. Limiting contact with others as much as possible while you are sick keeps you from infecting them.
Wash your hands
- Wash your hands often with soap and water
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub