CDC Says “Take 3” Actions to Fight the Flu
Flu is a serious
contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death.
CDC urges you to take
the following actions to protect yourself and others from influenza (the
flu):
1- Take time to get a
flu vaccine.
- CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most
important step in protecting against flu viruses.
- While there are many different flu viruses, a flu vaccine protects
against the viruses that research suggests will be most common.
- Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and
missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related
hospitalizations.
- Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every
year before flu activity begins in their community. CDC recommends getting
vaccinated by the end of October.
- Vaccination of high risk persons is
especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness.
- People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart
and lung disease and people 65 years and older.
- Vaccination also is important for health care workers, and
other people who live with or care for high risk people to keep from spreading
flu to them.
- Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are
too young to be vaccinated. People who care for infants should be vaccinated
instead.
2- Take everyday preventive
actions to stop the spread of germs.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep
from infecting them.
- If you are sick with flu symptoms, CDC recommends that you stay
home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care
or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the
use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often
with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated
with germs like the flu.
3- Take flu antiviral drugs if your
doctor prescribes them.
- If you get the flu, antiviral drugs can be used to treat your
illness.
- Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics. They are
prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) and are not
available over-the-counter.
- Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you
are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For people with high risk factors, treatment
with an antiviral drug can mean the difference between having a milder illness
versus a very serious illness that could result in a hospital stay.
- Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when
they are started within 2 days of getting sick, but starting them later can
still be helpful, especially if the sick person has a high risk factor or
is very sick from the flu. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking this
drug.
- Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy
nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also may have
vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, and have
respiratory symptoms without a fever.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm