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Shoo the Flu Away

Date: 10/20/23

It’s that time of year. Fall means seasonal flu is on its way, and with it can come millions of sick people and tens of thousands of deaths. Some of the people most at risk for the flu are those 65 and older, pregnant women and people with medical problems like asthma, diabetes, heart or lung disease, HIV, hepatitis, and cancer.

Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones:

  • Get your flu shot. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine.
  • If you cough or sneeze, always cover your mouth. Try to cough into your sleeve or use a tissue.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with alcohol in it.
  • Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
  • If you or someone else is sick, keep your distance. If you’re sick, stay home from work, school or errands.
  • Keep things around you clean, too — especially places you touch a lot (like doorknobs and counters).

At work and at school:

  • At your work and your child’s school or childcare, ask about their plan for when there’s a flu outbreak, and ask if they offer flu vaccines on-site.
  • Make sure they keep up with cleaning things that get touched a lot (like doorknobs, keyboards and phones).
  • Make sure they have a good supply of tissues, soap, paper towels, hand sanitizers and wipes.
  • Ask how sick students and staff are kept away from others and about the absence policy for sick students, staff and workers.
  • If you start to feel sick at work, go home as soon as you can.