FLU PREVENTION

FLU PREVENTION

Protect yourself

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Protection recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older as the first and most-important step in protecting against influenza. The CDC and Ohio Department of Health also recommend these everyday flu prevention steps:

Stay away from sick people.

If sick with the flu, stay home from work and keep sick children from school or child care.

Wash hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds to reduce the spread of germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer to clean hands.

Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread this way.

Flu virus is spread through coughing and sneezing. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose. Cough or sneeze into your elbow or upper sleeve if you don’t have a tissue.

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Ohio Department of Health