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AVOIDING THE FLU AND STAYING HEALTHY

Flu season is upon us, but you can take some simple precautions
to avoid catching it.

There are three primary actions you can take to protect yourself and others from the flu:
Vaccination
This is your best defense against the flu. There are two types of vaccines: the "flu shot," an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is administered by needle, and the nasal-spray flu vaccine, made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu.
Good Health Hygiene
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick.
Antiviral Drugs
Four antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, zanamavir, and oseltamivir) are approved for use in preventing the flu. Because the flu virus changes each year, your doctor will know which medication is recommended for fighting this year's bug. Antivirals are effective only if taken within two days after becoming sick.
If you are in a work environment where others have already contracted the flu, be on the defensive to protect yourself.

• Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. Use a tissue or cover your mouth with your hands. Then clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
• Clean your hands often. For 15 to 20 seconds, rub your hands vigorously together and scrub all surfaces with soap and warm water. It is the soap, combined with the scrubbing action, that helps dislodge and remove germs. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. If using a gel, rub it on your hands until they are dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches a contaminated surface and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs can live for up to two hours or more on surfaces such as doorknobs, desks, and tables.
• Stay home when you are sick. Limit the spread to others and allow yourself to rest and recover.