Time to start thinking about preventing the flu!

[thecooperhouse]

October is the start of the flu season so we need to start acting to keep healthy!

Here are some tips from the CDC's website.



Take time to get a flu vaccine.

• CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.
• While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine protects against the three viruses that research suggests will be most common.
• The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against an influenza A H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the 2009 H1N1 virus that caused so much illness last season.
• Everyone 6 months of age and older should get vaccinated against the flu as soon as the 2010-2011 season vaccine is available.
• People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older.
• Vaccination of high risk persons is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness.
• Vaccination also is important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for high risk people to keep from spreading flu to high risk people.
• Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for them should be vaccinated instead.

Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.*
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with flu–like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.

Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them.

• If you get the flu, antiviral drugs can treat your illness.
• Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics. They are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) and are not available over-the-counter.
• Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
• It’s very important that antiviral drugs be used early (within the first 2 days of symptoms) to treat people who are very sick (such as those who are hospitalized) or people who are sick with flu symptoms and who are at increased risk of severe flu illness, such as pregnant women, young children, people 65 and older and people with certain chronic health conditions.
• Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.

CDC - Seasonal Influenza (Flu) - CDC Says Take 3 Actions To Fight The Flu

[tinkinpink84]

woo gotta love flu season! I got all the meds if someone in my house gets the flu! I havent had the flu shot since i was pregnant with my son though! My kids i make sure they get the shot! Need to get on that asap here . they can go on base and get it free specially with my son in school! Lysol spraying light switches and door knobs! hand sanitizer and making sure my lil ones cover their mouths when they cough. Not alot of kids do that but i at least wanna make sure my kids arent spreading the germs! flu isnt fun!

[everprincess]

I'm afraid I have it or something similar to it. The shot does no good with me for some reason.

[tinkinpink84]

sometimes the flu shot can make one sick! like flu like symptoms! i think ive only ever had the flu once in my life. My mom however will get it every year! She has yet to get the shot either when she could get it on free on bas there since my dad is retired air force!

[thecooperhouse]

The flu shot can't make you sick. Sometimes people get the flu shot - and then get flu. This is because it takes 2 weeks for the flu shot to become fully effective. Which is bad because if you go to the doc's office surrounded by people with the flu to get the flu shot, you could end up getting the flu.

The flu can give you some flu - like symptoms for a period of 24-48 hours after the shot- this is due to the fact that your immune system is being put to work.

[Mermanity27]

Don't get them...neither does my family.

[CW&M Mom]

Me and the kids have gotten ours already.

With my son...we Have To get them.

[meems]

Speaking of vitamin D...it's shown to drastically reduce the likelyhood of getting colds or flu...

[grreyes6]

My son, 17, has Diabetes 1, so he is the only one in the family who gets the shot. Knock on wood, over the past 5 years no one has gotten the flu in our family.

[tinkinpink84]

I was actually gonna get me and my son the flu shot when i took him to the dr thursday. But since he was sick the dr said to wait until he is better to get the shot. so prob make it a family affair one of these days when i can get on post.