Preventing the Flu

There are many things you can do to avoid the flu. First, it helps to know how the flu spreads in households or through the community.

Flu spreads from person to person. You can get the flu if someone with the illness coughs or sneezes near you. The flu virus travels in droplets from the infected person’s nose or mouth through the air. The viruses pass through the air and enter the body through your nose or mouth.

You can also get the flu simply by touching an object like a telephone or doorknob that someone with the flu has already touched. The flu virus passes from that object to your hand and then to your nose or mouth.

There are many ways to prevent flu and colds. These include:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.
   
• Avoid crowds. You are at greatest risk of getting infected in places where there are a lot of people.
   
• Stay home when you are sick. This will help prevent others from catching your illness.
   
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or sneeze or cough into your sleeve.
   
• Wash your hands often to help protect yourself from the flu virus. Using soap and water, rub your hands vigorously front and back and between your fingers. Count at least 15 seconds while rubbing your hands before rinsing. (Some people sing the Happy Birthday song in their head to measure the time.) In a public restroom, turn the faucet off with a paper towel, not with your clean hands. If possible, avoid touching the handle of the towel dispenser. Pat your hands dry or use the air blower in the restroom.
   
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
   
• Use a waterless cleansing gel (hand sanitizer) when you can’t use soap and water. Keep a small bottle in your glove compartment, purse, or pocket.
  
  
• Eat, sleep, and exercise. Your body has defenses to guard you from getting sick. For your immune system to work well, it’s important to eat right, get enough sleep, and be active each day.
  
  
• The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated against the circulating strains of influenza. Each year the flu shot is specifically designed to cover the circulating seasonal strains. About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infection. The federal government is developing a vaccine for the H1N1 flu. Flu vaccines will not protect against flu-like illnesses caused by non-influenza viruses.