Colds & Flu

How to Stay Healthy This Flu Season

Vaccination is not the only way to help prevent the flu.
Here are steps you and your family can take to stay healthy this winter.

Wash your hands often - with soap and warm water. When soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers. If using a gel, rub the gel in your hands until they are dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in the gel kills germs that cause colds and the flu. However, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers do not remove dirt.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when people touch something that is contaminated with germs and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. Germs can live for a long time (some can live for 2 hours or more) on surfaces like doorknobs, desks and tables.
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs cause illnesses like the flu (influenza). The flu usually spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes and the droplets from the cough or sneeze move through the air and are deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. So, always cough or sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, wash your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
If you feel ill, stay home from work and keep sick kids home from school or daycare. And keep in mind; most people with flu will recover just fine.

Symptoms of the Flu	Symptoms of a Cold
Fever Headache Aches and pains Fatigue and weakness (up to 3 weeks) Extreme exhaustion Possible stuffy nose, sneezing, or sore throat Chest discomfort and cough	Stuffy nose Sneezing Sore throat Moderate coughing or chest discomfort Mild fatigue Some aches and pains