You Are Not Wanted - Flu Stay Away!

You’ve seen drug stores and grocery stores advertise for low cost or free flu shots. Maybe you and your family get yours every year or maybe you’ve never really looked into getting one. Either way, knowledge is power.Here are the facts about the flu shot by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC)…

• The flu vaccine protects against the following 3 flu viruses that research supports are the most common: influenza A H3N2 virus, influenza B virus, and the H1N1 virus.
• Certain people are at high risk for serious flu complications. These people include the following: young children; pregnant women; individuals with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart and lung disease; individuals that are 65 years or older. CDC suggests that these individuals get vaccinated in order to keep from experiencing serious flu complications.
• Children younger than 6 months old are at high risk for serious flu illness, though they are too young to be vaccinated. CDC suggests that their caretakers get vaccinated instead.

Even if you decide that you and your family will not be getting the flu shot, there are some  important, everyday germ control practices that everyone can benefit from following…

• Sneeze and cough into a tissue and then throw the tissue away. If a tissue is not available, avoid sneezing or coughing into your hands and do so into the part of your arm that is not likely to come into contact with another person (i.e. elbow area).
• Wash your hands with soap and water throughout the day.
• void touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs are known to hang out in these areas.
• To the best of your ability, avoid contact with sick people. Similarly, if you are sick, stay away from other people so as not to infect them.
• If sick with a flu-related illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever goes down (unless you are going to the doctor or to get certain necessities).

TIP: Make it clear this year that the flu is not wanted in your household! Take a stand for the sake of yourself and your family!Source: “CDC Says “Take 3” Actions to Fight the Flu”, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Posted In: health-and-nutrition"11 /3/2011