Flu Season

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that the best way to protect yourself and your family against the flu is to get vaccinated every year. And for the first time, the CDC recommends that all people, age 6 months and older who can get a flu shot should, including women who are pregnant.

What about H1N1?

This year’s flu shot offers protection against multiple strains, including the H1N1 virus. If you have questions about the flu shot, you should consult your family physician.

Flu Season, What You Should Know

Because influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people, there are things we can do to help prevent its spread.

Take Everyday Actions to Stay Healthy

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

Flu Symptoms

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore Throat
• Runny or Stuffy Nose
• Body Aches
• Headache
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Some people have also reported diarrhea & vomiting 

What Happens if You Get the Flu?

• Stay home if you get sick. We recommend that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• People with influenza-like illness should remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100° F), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
• Call your family physician. The flu is treatable on an outpatient basis.
• Do not go to the emergency room unless you or your child experience the warning signs listed below.** You will be spreading flu germs to ER patients and health care workers as well as exposing yourself to illnesses the ER patients may have.
• Stay well hydrated – drink plenty of fluids like water, broth and sports drinks
• Get plenty of rest

Emergency Warning Signs That Need Urgent Medical Attention:

In Children

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Download our Flu Guide for Parents

In Adults

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough