Flu season is here; are you prepared?

Influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory disease caused by different strains of viruses.

In the United States, there is a flu season that begins every fall and ends every spring. The type of flu people get during this season is called seasonal flu. Flu viruses spread from person to person when people who are infected cough or sneeze. Adults may be able to infect others one day before getting symptoms and as long as five days after getting sick.

The following groups of people are at an increased risk from the flu: people age 50 or older, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions, children age 6 months and older and people who live with or care for anyone at high risk.

People at high risk should have their vaccinations updated every year and receive pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine if age 50 or older, as directed by their physician.

What should I do to avoid getting sick?
• Always practice good health habits to maintain your body’s resistance to infection. Eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of fluids, manage stress and get enough rest and sleep.

• Take these common sense steps to stop the spread of germs: 

1. Wash hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
2. Avoid or minimize contact with sick people (a minimum three feet distancing is recommended). 
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. 
4. Cover your mouth and nose with tissues when you cough and sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow. 
5. Stay away from others as much as possible when you are sick.

• Adopt business/school practices that encourage employees/students to stay home when sick.

• Get a flu shot every year. Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to minimize illness and death.

Be aware of common flu symptoms:
• High fever
• Severe body aches
• Headache
• Extreme tiredness
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea (more common in children than in adults)

NOTE: Having all of these symptoms doesn’t always mean that you have the flu. Many different illnesses have similar symptoms.

File photo