It’s Flu Season! Follow These Tips to Stay Healthy
Flu season is here again, and getting the flu can make you feel miserable and miss out on work and recreation time. And it can even lead to serious complications.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers all kinds of information about the flu and tips for preventing it, including the following.
What is the Flu?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and in extreme cases it can even cause death.
Signs and symptoms of the flu include:
- Fever or feeling feverish
- Chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Vomiting or diarrhea (more common in children than adults)
The flu virus spreads primarily through droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people nearby and spread the virus. In addition, a person can also get the flu by touching a surface that has the flu virus on it, and then touching their own mouth, eyes or nose.
Flu Prevention Tips from the CDC
The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season. In addition, follow these tips to avoid catching or spreading the flu.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others.
- Stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick to prevent spreading it to others.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash your hands often.
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.
Remember that a little common sense goes a long way toward helping all of us get through flu season. As much as we all want to avoid getting the flu, be considerate of others when you are sick so you can avoid spreading it, as well. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is also very helpful during flu season, and always. Get plenty of rest, eat well, don’t smoke and eat a healthy, balanced diet.
