All flu, including pandemic flu, is caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It is generally spread from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. An effective vaccination against the pandemic flu – when it is available – will be the best way to prevent the disease.
To fight the annual flu, members of high-risk groups should get a flu shot. Even those who are not in the high-risk categories should get a flu shot.
The following simple, common-sense precautions recommended by the CDC, can also help.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.
Stay home when you’re sick or have flu symptoms. Get plenty of rest and check with your doctor.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve, not your hands. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you and others against germs. When soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based disposable hand rubs or gel sanitizers.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread to your system when you touch something that is contaminated with germs and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods. Avoid smoking, which may increase the risk of serious consequences if you do contact the flu.
(Small containers of Hand Sanitizer are available for your use while at church.)
To fight the annual flu, members of high-risk groups should get a flu shot. Even those who are not in the high-risk categories should get a flu shot.
The following simple, common-sense precautions recommended by the CDC, can also help.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.
Stay home when you’re sick or have flu symptoms. Get plenty of rest and check with your doctor.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve, not your hands. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you and others against germs. When soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based disposable hand rubs or gel sanitizers.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread to your system when you touch something that is contaminated with germs and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods. Avoid smoking, which may increase the risk of serious consequences if you do contact the flu.
(Small containers of Hand Sanitizer are available for your use while at church.)
No comments:
Post a Comment